Sul Ross State University seeks name change for South Texas Campuses
ALPINE — Sul Ross State University may soon be referred to as “Sul Ross State University International” at its campuses in South Texas if an official motion to change the name announced Monday by University President Carlos Hernandez wins approval from the board of regents.
The name change would not apply to Alpine’s campus. The name change would apply to the Eagle Pass, Uvalde, and Del Rio campuses of SRSU, according to reporting from the student newspaper The Sul Ross Skyline, and be effective as of January 1, 2025. The “SRSU International” rebrand will include all new signage and more.
“This will be a tedious process and will require patience from all of us as we execute this in the most efficient and cost-effective manner,” Hernandez said. “This is an exciting time and a celebration of our work as we progress toward an independent four-year university for the Middle Rio Grande Region.”
“The proposed name change is a crucial interim step as we continue to expand programs and capacity in a manner that is consistent with a university,” he added. “It elevates the institution from college to university, a significant distinction, and recognizes its geographic binational community status while embracing its Sul Ross roots.”
Taxidermy shop records show possible defense to citations
ALPINE — City of Alpine records obtained by The Big Bend Sentinel show that a local taxidermy shop — which has stated it will close because of the City of Alpine’s mandate that it get a grease trap — show that the business’ attorney claimed the shop was not required to get a trap because it has a septic system.
Howard and April Parsons, who own Hip-O Taxidermy at 2990 E. Highway 90, posted to Facebook on November 7 that they would be closing in December after months of fighting the city over a grease trap. The shop also processes wild game, which the city contends should require a trap to stop fats from going into the wastewater system, potentially blocking pipes. The announcement was a blow to local and visiting hunters who would be left with no local taxidermy or processing.
In a November 14 article, The Sentinel reported that Howard Parsons confirmed he was not hooked up to city water or wastewater — using a well and septic system instead. Robert Rückes, the head of Alpine Building Services for the city, said it didn’t matter, because contractors who empty septic systems for businesses then dump the waste at the city’s water treatment plant, which then would be susceptible to damage from grease.
Parson’s attorney, Katherine Ramos Reiley, wrote the city on August 15 that the city’s code “has been read, misinterpreted and misapplied to our client’s business. As the City is aware, the City has not extended its sanitary sewer system to the area where our client’s business is located. Hip-O does not discharge any waste into the City’s sanitary sewer system, hazardous or otherwise.” Reiley then cites a section of city code speaking to requirements for wastewater service but not mentioning anything about grease traps. However, that code and that of the code requiring traps are both housed in the chapter on Sewer Services, which in its entirety addresses discharges to the sewer system with no mention of septic system discharges or dumping.
Additionally, records show the city checked “manifests” that describe the source of septic tank dumps by contractors into the city’s landfill, and no records exist for Hip-O.
Reiley withdrew from representing Parsons on November 7 in a filing to the municipal court and stated that Parsons will represent himself. Parsons had requested a trial, likely in January, but no date has been set.
New visitor centers underway for Terlingua, Marathon
BREWSTER COUNTY — At its November 12 meeting, the Brewster County Commissioners Court approved initial funding for new visitor centers in Terlingua and Marathon.
The court set up a contingency reserve of $250,000 for each of the centers and approved initial funding for architectural plans of $1,250 for Marathon and $11,500 for Terlingua. The construction would replace the Big Bend Visitors Centers on Highway 90 in Marathon and Highway 118 in Study Butte. Initial sketches for Terlingua show a large multi-purpose building with a courtyard and tables.
Executive Director of Brewster County of Tourism Robert Alvarez said additional details on the buildings will be presented in upcoming weeks.
Bunkhouse for Terlingua emergency services moves forward
TERLINGUA — On November 12, the Brewster County Commissioners Court approved $50,000 for designing and constructing a new dormitory to allow fire, EMS and public safety workers to take residence in Terlingua when needed.
The building, at the South Brewster County Emergency Services Building just east of Terlingua Creek on Highway 170, tentatively would be about 3,400 square feet with bunk rooms, common areas, kitchens, restrooms, a gym and an individual apartment.
Blue Origin’s 9th human flight set for Friday
VAN HORN — Blue Origin has announced its ninth human flight, NS-28, will lift off from Launch Site One in West Texas on Friday, November 22. The launch window opens at 9:30 a.m. The webcast on BlueOrigin.com will start at T-30 minutes.
Additionally, Blue Origin released the NS-28 mission patch. A few of the symbols embedded and the crew include:
- The color pink and the girl in the signature pink overalls represents Emily Calandrelli.
- The centerline in the “2” represents Sharon and Marc Hagle’s second flight on New Shepard.
- The stars represent A- ustin Litteral’s vision for people among the stars.
- The people at the bottom represents J.D. Russell’s hope for generations of people expanding their understanding of the world.
- The wolf in the crew capsule’s window represents Hank Wolfond.
Sul Ross State University seeks name change for South Texas Campuses
ALPINE — Sul Ross State University may soon be referred to as “Sul Ross State University International” at its campuses in South Texas if an official motion to change the name announced Monday by University President Carlos Hernandez wins approval from the board of regents.
The name change would not apply to Alpine’s campus. The name change would apply to the Eagle Pass, Uvalde, and Del Rio campuses of SRSU, according to reporting from the student newspaper The Sul Ross Skyline, and be effective as of January 1, 2025. The “SRSU International” rebrand will include all new signage and more.
“This will be a tedious process and will require patience from all of us as we execute this in the most efficient and cost-effective manner,” Hernandez said. “This is an exciting time and a celebration of our work as we progress toward an independent four-year university for the Middle Rio Grande Region.”
“The proposed name change is a crucial interim step as we continue to expand programs and capacity in a manner that is consistent with a university,” he added. “It elevates the institution from college to university, a significant distinction, and recognizes its geographic binational community status while embracing its Sul Ross roots.”
Taxidermy shop records show possible defense to citations
ALPINE — City of Alpine records obtained by The Big Bend Sentinel show that a local taxidermy shop — which has stated it will close because of the City of Alpine’s mandate that it get a grease trap — show that the business’ attorney claimed the shop was not required to get a trap because it has a septic system.
Howard and April Parsons, who own Hip-O Taxidermy at 2990 E. Highway 90, posted to Facebook on November 7 that they would be closing in December after months of fighting the city over a grease trap. The shop also processes wild game, which the city contends should require a trap to stop fats from going into the wastewater system, potentially blocking pipes. The announcement was a blow to local and visiting hunters who would be left with no local taxidermy or processing.
In a November 14 article, The Sentinel reported that Howard Parsons confirmed he was not hooked up to city water or wastewater — using a well and septic system instead. Robert Rückes, the head of Alpine Building Services for the city, said it didn’t matter, because contractors who empty septic systems for businesses then dump the waste at the city’s water treatment plant, which then would be susceptible to damage from grease.
Parson’s attorney, Katherine Ramos Reiley, wrote the city on August 15 that the city’s code “has been read, misinterpreted and misapplied to our client’s business. As the City is aware, the City has not extended its sanitary sewer system to the area where our client’s business is located. Hip-O does not discharge any waste into the City’s sanitary sewer system, hazardous or otherwise.” Reiley then cites a section of city code speaking to requirements for wastewater service but not mentioning anything about grease traps. However, that code and that of the code requiring traps are both housed in the chapter on Sewer Services, which in its entirety addresses discharges to the sewer system with no mention of septic system discharges or dumping.
Additionally, records show the city checked “manifests” that describe the source of septic tank dumps by contractors into the city’s landfill, and no records exist for Hip-O.
Reiley withdrew from representing Parsons on November 7 in a filing to the municipal court and stated that Parsons will represent himself. Parsons had requested a trial, likely in January, but no date has been set.
New visitor centers underway for Terlingua, Marathon
BREWSTER COUNTY — At its November 12 meeting, the Brewster County Commissioners Court approved initial funding for new visitor centers in Terlingua and Marathon.
The court set up a contingency reserve of $250,000 for each of the centers and approved initial funding for architectural plans of $1,250 for Marathon and $11,500 for Terlingua. The construction would replace the Big Bend Visitors Centers on Highway 90 in Marathon and Highway 118 in Study Butte. Initial sketches for Terlingua show a large multi-purpose building with a courtyard and tables.
Executive Director of Brewster County of Tourism Robert Alvarez said additional details on the buildings will be presented in upcoming weeks.
Bunkhouse for Terlingua emergency services moves forward
TERLINGUA — On November 12, the Brewster County Commissioners Court approved $50,000 for designing and constructing a new dormitory to allow fire, EMS and public safety workers to take residence in Terlingua when needed.
The building, at the South Brewster County Emergency Services Building just east of Terlingua Creek on Highway 170, tentatively would be about 3,400 square feet with bunk rooms, common areas, kitchens, restrooms, a gym and an individual apartment.
Blue Origin’s 9th human flight set for Friday
VAN HORN — Blue Origin has announced its ninth human flight, NS-28, will lift off from Launch Site One in West Texas on Friday, November 22. The launch window opens at 9:30 a.m. The webcast on BlueOrigin.com will start at T-30 minutes.
Additionally, Blue Origin released the NS-28 mission patch. A few of the symbols embedded and the crew include:
- The color pink and the girl in the signature pink overalls represents Emily Calandrelli.
- The centerline in the “2” represents Sharon and Marc Hagle’s second flight on New Shepard.
- The stars represent A- ustin Litteral’s vision for people among the stars.
- The people at the bottom represents J.D. Russell’s hope for generations of people expanding their understanding of the world.
- The wolf in the crew capsule’s window represents Hank Wolfond.
For more information on the crew, see BlueOrigin.com.For more information on the crew, see BlueOrigin.com.