Lowe’s Markets declines to share Marfa store audit results
TRI-COUNTY — Last week Lowe’s Markets, which has operated grocery stores in Alpine, Marfa, Presidio and Fort Davis since December, launched an audit on its Marfa store following customer complaints of overpricing.
Some citizens went public with their concerns on social media, stating they experienced repeated instances of prices advertised on the shelves not matching what was rung up at checkout.
Lowe’s Chief Operating Officer Alan Buxkemper told The Sentinel last week the company works “super hard to make sure that [they] have fair, adequate and accurate pricing,” but that an audit was ordered in light of recent complaints to discover potential price discrepancies and fix them.
“If there’s a specific reason, my auditors will know, ‘Okay, this is what happened.’ And then we can put a plan together to fix whatever happened,” Buxkemper said.
Buxkemper did not respond to requests for comment this week on the Marfa store audit results. A company spokesperson declined to share the results of the audit and whether or not Lowe’s plans to audit any of its other stores in the area for incorrect pricing.
Those wishing to file a complaint with the company can contact Lowe’s directly, report a misrepresentation of price to the Texas Department of Agriculture or file a consumer complaint with the Texas Attorney General’s office.
Prescription Shop Marfa adds Saturday hours
Prescription Shop Marfa, formerly closed all weekend, is now opening on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 105 E. Oak St. in Marfa.
Pharmacist Bob Fast said the Saturday hours will only be for prescription pickups if you already have called in for a new prescription or refill since he won’t be at the shop. Over-the-counter and other retail items also will be available. Additionally, Fast said there’s a caveat that the store will be open “most” Saturdays since his staff may need some time off at some point.
Jeff Davis County EMS now under new leadership, bunkhouse construction wraps
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY — Jeff Davis County is under new leadership after the firing of former Chief Peggy Fonseca this past May. The county has appointed Peggy Moats to serve as the new interim director. Judge Curtis Evans said Moats is serving in a full-time, paid capacity and is working to get the department back on track.
“She’s doing a really good job,” Evans said. “We are working together and a lot of progress has been made.”
Moats previously served as a base manager and flight paramedic at Emergent Air in Alpine, and before that worked at Terlingua Fire and EMS. She said she was motivated to step up to the EMS director position because she has a love for the tri-county community and saw a need to improve the department.
“I see a need for a lot of things that — in my almost 25 years of EMS experience — I can bring forth to this community and make it better,” Moats said.
Moats said the department is currently running well thanks to returning volunteers and four paid employees that remain. She said the plan for the department is still that it will be a hybrid service with both volunteers and paid EMTs and paramedics. Moats is pursuing partnerships with the Texas Public Safety Training Academy in order to set up a Trans-Pecos regional educational program with EMT classes and more.
Moats comes in on the heels of former EMS Director Peggy Fonseca, who was fired by county commissioners for a lack of volunteer involvement and budget overruns, which caused the county to make significant budget amendments to cover payroll for EMS employees. Budget workshops for the coming fiscal year are currently underway, Evans said.
Evans said the county is also looking forward to wrapping up the construction of its new bunkhouse for first responders, which sits behind the existing emergency services station. Construction began a year ago and totaled around $435,000. The bunkhouse is being funded by grants from the FMH Foundation, Permian Basin Area, and Yarborough Foundations as well as local grant contributions.
Alpine seeks relief from HOT fund requirement, seeks mobility study and charter update
ALPINE –– The Alpine City Council Tuesday approved a resolution asking that a requirement for Alpine to use 50% of its hotel occupancy tax funds to pay for advertising be removed from state statute.
Alpine is the only entity in the state with that requirement that was added by the Legislature many years ago at Alpine’s request. City Manager Megan Antrim said the city would have to appeal to the lawmakers to take that action, and she said she would forward the resolution to Alpine’s state representative and senator.
With that requirement lifted, the city would be free to use more HOT funds for hiring performers, renting venues and equipment, among other services — even if it’s clear advertising should be a major use of the fund collected from hotel and motel guests designed to bring in visitors, which would increase their business by putting more “heads in beds.” A similar effort came up a few years ago. The Legislature was asked to remove the restriction but that effort was voted down.
Another action approved Tuesday was an advanced funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for a Mobility Plan study. City Manager Megan Antrim said the study will be on non-motorized transportation — walking and bicycles — and would include bicycle lanes, pedestrian crossings and other facilities.
The City Council also finalized plans for a City Charter update to be submitted to the voters in November, and the notice must be posted by August 6. City staff and Mayor Catherine Eaves have been working most of this year to revise the charter that has not been updated in many years. Among the revisions in the new version will be a requirement that it be updated every five years.
Convenience West announces indefinite closure
MARFA — Beloved barbecue joint Convenience West announced they are closing indefinitely this week after nearly seven years of business.
“Friends, we’re taking a break, and to be honest, I don’t know for how long, maybe forever,” one of the business’ owners Mark Scott wrote in an Instagram post. “It’s been a wild almost seven years and I am thrilled with what we’ve done.”
The announcement was met with floods of comments from locals, thanking co-owners Mark Scott, Kaki Aufdengarten-Scott and Katy Rose Elsasser for their work with the restaurant and supporting their decision to recuperate.
Convenience West earned state and national recognition for their barbecue, sides and friendly atmosphere by being named to Texas Monthly‘s Top 25 New Barbecue Joints in 2019 and Top 50 Barbecue Joints in 2021. This year they were James Beard Award finalists.
“At the end of the day though, no list or award has come close to the friendships we’ve made, the support we’ve been given, the love we’ve been shown, and the times we’ve had, that will be with us forever,” Scott wrote.
The restaurant played host to Thanksgiving community meals the past three years in a row, and continued to serve local customers throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
For updates, follow @conveniencewest_bbq on Instagram.
Joe Andy Mendoza announces resignation from Presidio City Council
PRESIDIO –– At Tuesday night’s meeting, the Presidio City Council accepted the resignation of Joe Andy Mendoza, who served for over two years. Mendoza was originally appointed to Council in 2022 to fill an empty seat and successfully ran for re-election in the spring of 2022 and 2024.
Mendoza moved home to Presidio in 2021 to be an educator at Presidio ISD. He has served a number of roles from vice principal to curriculum coordinator and is taking that experience in the fall to East Texas, where he will be the principal at Cleveland High School. “I did not foresee leaving Presidio, a city I love dearly,” Mendoza wrote in a letter to city officials. “However, I am grateful for the invaluable experience and the friendships I have formed during my tenure on City Council.”