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It’s Monday, December 26th and I’m PJ Benevich.
If you’re planning a scenic drive through Big Bend Ranch State Park on the section of FM 170 known as River Road, be sure to observe the speed limits.
Along most of the route, the speed limit is 50 miles per hour or less. If you plan to drive the River Road, which is located between Lajitas and Presidio, please note that most sections on either side of the highway are State Park property. If you’re driving through without stopping, no park pass is needed. However, if you plan to pull over and stop along the River Road through the park at any of the scenic stops and overlooks, a day-use permit is required. Day-use permits may be purchased at Fort Leaton Historical Site on the west side of the park near Presidio, or at the Barton Warnock Visitor Center near Lajitas on the east side of the park. As always, drive carefully, watch for wildlife, and be aware of motorcyclists, bicyclists, and other drivers on the road.
If you’re camping in the region this holiday season, be bear aware. It has been warm enough that bear activity may still occur.
Use bear boxes at campsites when provided. Don’t store or bring food into your tent, and do not leave food items unattended outside. Clean up all sites after use. If you see a black bear, do
not approach it. Instead, slowly back away, while making yourself look bigger and standing together with anyone else in your group. Alert others in the area when you see a bear. For more information, talk to a park ranger at the park where you are visiting.
Once a bear becomes habituated to human sources of food, it can lead to the bear seeking out human food instead of natural, bear sources of food. This can lead to a lot of trouble for bears and humans, and can even lead to the forced euthanasia of the bear, which is a difficult decision that must be made by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Please do not contribute to this cycle. Be sure to secure food and trash when camping, hiking, and recreating in the outdoors.
Rural residents can help by securing sources of food like pet food and bird food and by not leaving those sources of food outside at night. Also make sure that any out-buildings are secure. Additionally, you can request a bear safe dumpster from your trash service provider.
The Archives of the Big Bend, located in the Bryan Wildenthal Memorial Library at Sul Ross, has acquired three sizeable donations,
including Fort Davis National Historic Site’s entire microfilm collection, the John Gage Ketzle Collection, and the Don Burgess Collection. The Fort Davis Historic Site donation of 300 rolls of
microfilm contains thousands of records, including census records from 1850 to 1930, military journals and reports; enlistment, inventory, supply and medical records. The John Gage Ketzle Collection includes 179 Kodachrome transparency slides depicting scenes from Big Bend National Park prior to 1953. The Don
Burgess Collection features a lifetime of photos, research and publications of the Raramuri people (also known as the Tarahumara) of Northern Mexico. To schedule a viewing of these or other materials at the Archives, email Victoria.Contreras@SulRoss.edu. The university will reopen after winter break on
January 2 nd .
January first marks the 33 rd annual Black Eye Pea Off in Terlingua Ghostown.
The entry fee is $10 with peas due promptly at 2 p.m. Anyone may partake of a bowl of black eye peas to usher in good luck for the new year for $10. Price includes a bowl and spoon and cornbread while supplies last. Awards and prizes will go to
first, second and third place winners. All proceeds benefit the Terlingua School graduate scholarships.
The Javalinas on Ice Skating Rink is opening on January Twelfth at KishMish Plaza.
Skate rentals start at ten dollars. Visit the KishMish Plaza Facebook page for more information about the ice-skating event.
This has been your local and area news report for KVLF 98.7 FM, 1240 AM and KALP 92.7 FM
Local news can be found on our website at bigbendradio.com.