With this issue, The Big Bend Sentinel has a new publisher: A new Texas nonprofit organization, Sentinel News Project.

Our mission remains the same: To report the news of the Big Bend region, focusing on its amazing people. We’ll continue to focus on art and music. And the goal is to get it right and to have a little fun along the way.

Roger Black Big Bend Sentinel
Roger Black at his ranch near Marathon.

As a nonprofit we depend on you, the reader. We have ambitious plans to increase and improve the editorial content, both written and visual. But first, we  want to hear what you want in The Sentinel. What would you like to see and read? What are you thinking about in terms of your life and style, as a resident — full-time or part-time — or as a visitor to the Big Bend? 

In the next few issues you’ll begin to see some changes in the paper and online. It will be a work in progress, and interaction with you is the key to getting it right. The first big design changes will be seen in the October 9 issue — at the start of the Chinati weekend. Save that date, since we’ll be celebrating (5 to 7 p.m.) at the Sentinel building in Marfa! As a reader, you are invited. RSVP to events@bigbendsentinel.com here, and we’ll send confirmation.

Even better, join us! If you are not yet a subscriber, sign up on the website at bigbendsentinel.com/subscribe. The subscription rates will be changing in October, but now can subscribe or renew for only $60 a year, with delivery of the print edition by mail. It’s only $50 if you have a mailing address in Presdio, Brewster or Jeff Davis counties.

And after this pitch, I must close by thanking everyone who made possible the change to a nonprofit news organization. Our first board members are Don Gardner of Austin (cofounder of the Pacifica radio station in Houston, KPFT), and Gonzalo Garcia Marquez of Mexico City (who is working with Gabo Foundation). 

And it’s not adiós to Maisie Crow and Max Kabat, publishers of The Sentinel for the last six years. They made a good deal for the transfer — and will continue to support the newspaper with the Sentinel Cafe and the store. !Nos vemos pronto!