The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the alleged sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery and arson that took place in Terlingua on December 6, as a possible hate-crime. The hate-crime provision may be invoked given that the attack seems to have been motivated by perceived sexual orientation of the victim. By John Waters    more »

Not a comprehensive history of the region, this is the sort of book that will appeal to lovers of Big Bend, admirers of tenacious spirits, and anyone enchanted by ephemeral faces suspended in old photographs. by Megan Wilde    more »

The flip side of this feat, though, is that the hummers need to fire up quickly in the morning. This means they must start feeding to replenish their energy reserves. If you have conditioned a hummingbird to come to a feeder, that’s where it’s headed first thing, looking for the quick sugar fix. Here’s the catch: adding sugar to water lowers the water’s freezing temperature.... by Mark Flippo    more »

The gallery is located in the “Old Town Square” row of buildings on the corner of N. 5th Street and Sul Ross Avenue, and is open 11 am to 5:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday, with alterations for major holidays.   more »

Yesterday I tried to make myself leave the house. I got as far as the bench on the front porch – and then I sat down quickly because from there the Catalina Mountains stood out from and above everything else, about thirty-five miles away from me. Clouds hung over them, like the rest of Tucson, but in places the sun would break through, as if to spotlight one peak, then another. The message was clear: Look at this—isn’t it fabulous? Now see this one—can you believe it? by Beth Garcia    more »

My job is entertainer and informant. I try to convey something of the spirit of the border lands, without overloading guests with facts. I use anecdote, personal reminiscence and contemporary references to tell of the area’s violent history, distinctive geology and varied natural habitat – particularly its colorful residents, including contemporary ones I have interviewed. The landscape speaks for itself, it just needs explaining. I try to keep the tone of my narrative light, and am always looking at audience response. Drooping eyelids means I’m boring them. By Jim Glendinning    more »

I see many cheeseheads walking up the bank of steps outside the facility and we exchange whoops of joy at our being connected by the strange word. The other half of my sign, “Yooperland,” is being questioned by passersby, which is a good thing, as I want interaction to spawn some ride possibilities. I know that the people from Yooperland will understand, because they are Yoopers of course, so called because they live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, or “the U.P.” Several Yoopers approach me and give me high-fives, prideful of their origins. But all of these Yoopers have moved away, mostly to Milwaukee. In fact, everyone seems to have come to the game from Milwaukee. By Mark Kneeskern    more »

And perhaps best of all, staff levels have never been better; the organization now has three paid medics and fifteen volunteer firefighters, plus a group of almost a dozen newly-trained first responders, in addition to already on board stalwart volunteer ECAs and drivers. by John Waters    more »

When asked for details on the resignation, Liz Demetri, POATRI board president told the Gazette, “As I stated at the [April 25] meeting, we, the board have no announcement to make at this time. Whatever conversation you and Alida had is between the two of you.”   more »

Always so tender hearted, you never thought twice about bringing home strays who needed warmth, nourishment, and love…. So we always kept puppy and kitten chow handy, until we found the perfect home for each and every one. As the years passed, our hearts and generosity expanded, insuring that our Thanksgiving and Christmas tables were filled with misplaced and lonely souls who graced our presence, sharing in God’s blessings during the holidays.   more »

After Dodson contacted Knight by phone, Knight insisted they speak in person. Dodson finally contacted Knight at Knight’s residence about 8:15 pm, at which time Knight told Dodson he had transported sodium cyanide to his son’s property off South County Road in Terlingua and had attempted to dispose of it on bentonite soil. Fearing that a hiker or illegal alien might come in contact with the cyanide, Knight contacted Dodson’s office after first seeking legal representation. by John Waters    more »

The face looking back at me was young, maybe twenty at the most. I had never seen a wearier expression but a light seemed to come on in his eyes at my offer. His whiskers had grown out for more than a few days and unruly, desert-colored hair poked out from beneath a ball cap. He had on too many clothes for the warmth of the day and was sweating. by Beth Garcia    more »

I quickly assessed my surroundings and noticed that there was some kind of dark zone near the football field of Bernalillo High, “Home of the Spartans,” says a sign on top of the school. As I set up the poles and scanned the school property for movement, I feel the thrill of the road. by Mark Kneeskern    more »

D.B. Smith was funny, salty, and very warm behind the gruff exterior. He was such a fiercely independent, can-do kind of West Texan, emblematic of a passing era of “folks” (as he would say) who first re-settled Terlingua in the ‘60’s & 70’s. Plus he was full of great anecdotes and great lines. by Marlys Hersey    more »

South Brewster County residents awoke to no electricity on the morning of Wednesday, July 30 in what was to be the start of almost 2 days without power. Power was lost on Wednesday morning at about 2:30am and restored at 11:20 am. Power was again lost at about 4:30 in the afternoon and restored on Thursday at about 1 pm. A third interruption of power occurred Saturday, Aug. 2. by John Waters    more »

exas General Land Office Commissioner Jerry Patterson has responded to the National Park Service’s proposal to acquire the Christmas Mountains in Brewster County. His answer: No guns, no deal: create a National Preserve and we can talk. by John Waters    more »

On a stunningly clear mid-January afternoon Texas General Land Office Commissioner Jerry Patterson pilots his 90-horsepower Citabria aircraft from San Marcos to land at Terlingua Ranch’s 4,000-foot dirt runway, at 1:30 pm. On board with Patterson is a chilled Sam Gwynne, writer from Texas Monthly, who has endured the three-hour flight in the back of the small aircraft, sitting behind Patterson where the aircraft’s heat does not reach. Patterson is in Brewster County to explore the Christmas Mountains and Big Bend National Park by air, foot, truck and all-terrain vehicle. by John Waters    more »

The Texas General Land Office has made public the National Park Service’s proposed management plan for the Christmas Mountains. Under the proposal, the Christmas Mountains would be added to Big Bend National Park and managed as a backcountry area of the park. The Park Service proposal cites several advantages of NPS management including permanent protection and preservation, public access and participation in the planning process, NPS expertise in management of backcountry environments.   more »

The National Park Service has submitted a management plan to the Texas General Land Office for the Christmas Mountains. The Park Service is proposing it acquire the Christmas Mountains and incorporate it into the park. It is an excellent plan.   more »