Transcript:
Monday, February 12th and I’m PJ Benevich.
Dr. Kendra DeHart has been selected as the 2024 higher education recipient of the Mary Jon and J.P. Bryan Leadership in Education Award from the Texas State Historical Association.
This award is given annually to recognize two outstanding history educators throughout the state with one at the K-through-12 level and one at the college level.
Dr. DeHart is the Chair of the Sul Ross State University’s Behavioral and Social Sciences Department and an assistant professor of History.
The Alpine native received her master’s degree, specializing in Public History, from Texas State University.
She also was designated T.S.U.’s Outstanding Graduate Student in History.
The award will be presented at the Fellows Luncheon March 1 at the annual meeting of the Association at College Station.
For more information, email kendra.dehart@sulross.edu.
Area jurisdictions that collect local sales taxes saw some sharp increases and decreases in February payments by the state.
Alpine and Brewster County both saw double-digit decreases from February of 2023.
Meanwhile, Presidio and the Brewster County Emergency Services District, that partially funds Terlingua Fire and E.M.S., saw double-digit increases.
Marfa and Jeff Davis County saw modest decreases.
Alpine took in 10-and-a-half percent less to 187 thousand dollars and Brewster County was down almost 29 percent to 95 thousand 632 dollars.
Presidio and the Terlingua fire service both took in 17 percent more, 55 thousand dollars for Presidio and 63-and-a-half thousand for the fire service.
Marfa was off eight percent and change to 69-and-a-quarter thousand and Jeff Davis County got just under ten percent less to 94 hundred and 79 dollars.
Comptroller Glenn Hegar said he sent cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts 1.3 billion dollars, 1.6 percent more than in February of 2023.
The allocations were based on sales made in December by businesses that report the tax monthly, quarterly filers and 2023 sales by businesses that report annually.
The City of Alpine has announced that utility disconnects for past-due accounts will occur on February 27.
Along with the disconnections, the city will impose its usual fees of 35 dollars each for disconnections and reconnections unless prior arrangements are made.
To escape the cost and inconvenience of disconnections, payments may be made by 4 o’clock on February 26 at the drop box outside City Hall or just inside the lobby.
For more information or to make payments on-line go to cityofalpine.com.
Alpine Public Library’s next Dark Skies event will be tomorrow for ages 6 to 12 to learn all about why nature needs darkness.
Kids will explore web fun, amazing animal adaptations and secrets of dark skies. An evening meal will be served.
The presenter will be Kaylee French, the West Texas education coordinator for The Nature Conservancy.
It will be in the Library Community Room at 805 West Avenue E from 6 to 8 tomorrow evening.
And the next Travel Talk at the library is scheduled for 7 Friday, February 23.
The talk will be by Sharon McClanahan with her presentation, “A Tour of South Africa.”
For more information on both, call the library at 837-2621 or email alpinepubliclibrary.org
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.