A group of Big Bend landowners have filed a lawsuit against the federal government to stop the construction of walls and other border security infrastructure.
The Department of Homeland Security, when announcing those plans, said the Big Bend Sector was an area of “high illegal entry” – which allowed the Trump administration to move forward and bypass federal protections. But the lawsuit claims that reasoning is QUOTE “incomplete and defective” and that the Big Bend, by the governmen’ts own statistics, isn’t an area that sees a high number of apprehensions.
The landowenrs say a border wall – and any other kind of security infrastructure – would be not only detrimental to the land but to their livelihoods as well.
Lico Miller is a landowner in Ruidosa in Presidio County.
MILLER1: “When you run cattle, farm, or run a recreational company, the river isn’t scenery, it’s survival. Cutting off our access to the Rio Grande with steel barriers doesn’t secure the border – it severs our access to water, it cripples our operations, and it destroys working family businesses.” (0:24)
The lawsuit names the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and the heads of those agencies as defendants.
Those departments have yet to respond to a request for comment about the lawsuit or its claims.
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Tomorrow (TUESDAY), the city of Alpine will hold its next city council meeting.
As part of the meeting council members will consider extending contracts of a handful of departments and officials – that conversation will include renewing the director of tourism contract for a one-year term, approving the contract with the Alpine Public Library, the Family Crisis Center and the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Big Bend.
The city council meeting will be Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers.
You can find a copy of the agenda online at cityofalpine.com.
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Funded by a grant from AARP, the local nonprofit Alpine Community Projects is holding a contest to design backyard cottages for the town’s older populations. According to the nonprofit, these kinds of buildings are also known as ADUs, or accessory dwelling units. And they group sees them as one part of the solution to having enough appropriate housing for elders, close to friends and family.
Anyone is welcome to submit a design to the group. Alpine Community Projects will use the grant funds to buy the winning designs from five winners for $5,000 dollars each. Then ACP will make those designs free to anyone.
You can find the application to submit your design at alpinecommunityprojects.org.
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Later this month (SEPTEMBER), head to the Jeff Davis County Library to hear Tim Gibbs, an archeologist with Big Bend Ranch State Park Archeologist. During his talk, Tim will highlight how recent archeological evidence from Big Bend State Park reveals a long term interconnected community with the Rio Grande region.
The talk is Saturday, Sept. 26 at 3:00 p.m. in the Jeff Davis County Library at Fort Davis.
The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call (432) 426 3802.
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Next month, Front Street Books in Alpine will hold its fall Book Buzz! The Adult Book Fair takes place Saturday, Oct. 31 from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. at The Ritchey – more details coming soon.
In the meanwhile, you can always visit the store to check out the newest books and calendars for the upcoming year. Front Street Books has wall calendars, daily desk calendars and planners – including the 2027 Big Bend National Park calendar.
More information online at fsbooks.square.site.
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Also in Ocotober, the regional Archives Bazaar will be hosted by Sul Ross State University.
The annual event brings together dozens of archives, libraries, museums, and cultural repositories to present archival materials. Organizers say the event is a great chance to immerse yourself in borderland history, culture, heritage, and legacy.
The regional Archives Bazaar will be Friday, Oct. 9 at the Morgan University Center on the Sul Ross Campus.
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Later in the fall, Texas Country musician William Beckmann will headline “Live at Gallego” – a benefit concert for Sul Ross State University athletics.
Raised in Del Rio, Beckman’s music reflects a blend of cultures and sounds, from classic country and traditional pop to the mariachi influences of his Mexican heritage.
The benefit concert takes place Friday, Nov. 13 at the Gallego Center.
The evening begins with table seating and dinner at 6:00 p.m.
Jackson Wendell will perform at 7:45 p.m., followed by a live auction at 8:30 p.m., and Beckmann will take the stage at 9:00 p.m.
General admission is $25 per person.
Tickets and sponsorships are available at sulrossstateevents.totalcamps.com.
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.