Transcript:
Alpine School Superintendent Dr. Michelle Rinehart told us over the weekend that 11 teachers
will get the first-ever Teacher Incentive Allotments as Designated Teachers.
Named Master Teachers were Susana Hernandez, Terri Piñeda and Michelle Ramos, the top of
three classifications designated.
Named Exemplary Teachers were Jean Anne Fort, Tammy Hopkins, Rosalynn Larsen, Katy
Matthews, Laura Lea Portillo, Casey Valenzuela and Terri Piñeda.
Rounding it out was Recognized Teacher Kristyl Albertson-Reyna.
Each teacher earned a significant salary increase from the Texas Education Agency, 62 hundred
for Recognized, 12 thousand 500 for Exemplary and 22 thousand 800 for Master.
Total state funding for the higher salaries came to 167 thousand dollars per year for the next five
years.
Dr Rinehart said she looks forward to continuing to expand their Teacher Incentive Allotment
program, helping more and more Fightin’ Buck teachers earn their state-level designations.
A Big Bend National Park release over the weekend reports that major construction projects in
the Chisos Basin area have been delayed by more than a month.
The projects to improve visitor services and critical infrastructure of the park are now expected
to begin July 1. They were originally estimated to start in May.
The Chisos Basin Campground, Chisos Basin Visitor Center and all trails will now remain fully
open through the month of June.
The park concessioner Aramark is exploring options for extending some of their food and
lodging services in the basin area.
When work begins, the area will be closed to visitor entry. This includes the Basin Road, lodging
units, campground, restaurant, visitor center, camper store and trails.
This work will only affect the Chisos Basin and the rest of the park will remain open year-round.
It boasts more than 800 thousand acres of canyons, desert, historic sites, diverse wildlife, scenic
drives, backcountry roads and more than 150 miles of hiking trails.
Images, timelines, maps, access updates and up-to-date information on projects can be found on
the park’s website at go.nps.gov/chisosbasinfuture)
Sunshine House in Alpine has announced the acquisition of a new building, the historic Ole
Crystal Bar that adjoins its current location.
This will allow the senior citizen center to expand services and better support the senior citizens
of Alpine and Marathon.
It will enable increased access to nutritious meals, social programs and essential resources for the
seniors in the communities.
Executive Director Amy Fields said the move would not have been possible without the support
of Permian Basin Area Foundation.
She said the foundation’s commitment to senior citizens and fighting hunger makes a profound
impact in the community.
Plans are to open the new space next year.
For more information, contact the Sunshine House at 432/837-5402 or email sunshinehousealpine.com
The City of Alpine will have the next monthly bulk pick up in the week of March 3 and residents
must schedule their pickup with Texas Disposal Systems the week prior.
Pickups may be scheduled before noon from Monday to Friday next week. Call Texas Disposal
Systems at 432/837-0845 to schedule your pickup.
Once the pick-up has been scheduled, place your bulk items on the curb or right of way directly
in front of your home.
Do not put anything onto the roadway, in an alley or next to a dumpster.
For more information, visit cityofalpine.com/bulkpickup
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.