Transcript:
This is your local and area news.
This week, the White House said nearly 90 miles of the Texas border will soon be placed under military control, although it’s unclear exactly where that stretch of border will be.
The move follows a memorandum issued by President Trump last Friday that authorized the U.S. military to take control of parts of a federal strip of land on the border from California to New Mexico.
On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Texas land would be added “in the coming weeks.”
The Fort Davis ISD school board has named a new interim superintendent while the district’s former superintendent, Graydon Hicks, remains on paid administrative leave.
According to the Big Bend Sentinel, the board named Ralph Traynham, a former Fort Stockton ISD superintendent, to the position. He’s set to start the role next week.
Brewster County officials will hold a special commissioners meeting in Marathon next week.
According to an agenda for the meeting, commissioners are set to hear a presentation from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on bears in the county. They’ll also receive reports from the city and county departments, including emergency management, the treasurer’s office, the county comptroller, and the tourism board, among others. Commissioners will also take a tour of the new Marathon library.
The meeting takes place on Tuesday, April 22, and will be at the Marathon Community Center, located at 106. NE 3rd Street.
Next week, celebrate International Dark Sky Week at McDonald Observatory and in towns throughout the Big Bend.
At McDonald Observatory, there will be special talks, tours, and Star Parties. And in Alpine, on April 26, you can enjoy the Dark Skies Festival!
The day starts at the farmer’s market, where you can learn about the impacts of light pollution on wildlife. Then at 2 p.m., head to the Alpine Public Library for a presentation on the dark skies and the art of astrophotography. And later at night, head to the soccer field at Kokernot Park for a free star party.
Speaking on the city’s podcast, “Heart of the Big Bend,” Heather Yadon said the event will include high-powered telescopes on hand to help people take in the dark skies.
YADON1: People can arrive at the park at dusk and bring a chair or blanket to sit on cause it is out in the soccer field. Don’t bring a big, high-powered flashlight, we don’t want that. That will cause everyone else to not be able to see stars. We’ll have some signs to guide people of where to go. But yeah, you don’t want to bring lights or anything like that. The idea is total darkness. That’s gonna start at Kokernot Park at 9 o’clock on April 26.”
For a complete list of events happening in the region, head to mcdonaldobservatory.org.
In Fort Davis this weekend, Doug Moreland’s Family Barn Dance is back at the Kelly Pavilion. Enjoy an evening full of dancing on Saturday, April 19, from 7 to 10 p.m.
There will also be Crawfish gumbo for sale – tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for teens, and kids get in for free.
More information at dougmoreland.com.
Next Friday, April 25, head to Marathon for a country dance fundraiser! The event, sponsored by the Marathon PTO, starts at 8:30 p.m. at the Marathon Community Center and features the Craig Carter & The Spur of the Moment Band.
Entry to the dance is $15, and proceeds will go toward funding a high school field trip to Boston this summer.
This has been your local and area news for KVLF 98.7 FM, 1240 AM & KALP 92.7 FM. Local news can be found on our website at bigbendradio.com.