May 2021

Big Bend Telephone recently announced that it has elected to participate in the Emergency Broadband Benefit program to help eligible customers affected by the pandemic receive financial relief for essential broadband services while the program lasts.

Fort Stockton City Council, city manager, assistant city manager, and mayor posed for a picture after the oath of office affirmation performed by the re-elected mayor and two city councilmen at the group’s special meeting on May 12 at city hall. The trio were also presented a certificate of election. Pictured from left to right: Jesse Gonzales Jr., Paul Casias, Pam Palileo, Ruben Falcon, Chris Alexander, James Warnock, Darren Hodges, Frank Rodriguez. Photo by Bethany Gaylor

Former Midland College/WRTTC graduate Lindsey Horton was one of the individual remembered and honored at the Alumni Happy Hour Event on May 12. Courtesy Photo Ida Casias was remembered by Midland College/WRTTC Alumni Group as an exemplary alumni of the college at Wednesday’s Alumni Happy Hour.

Teacher of the Fifth Six Weeks The Fort Stockton Rotary Club honored Ashley Pillado as Teacher of the Fifth Six Weeks at the Rotarian’s regular meeting on May 13 at the First Presbyterian Church. Rotarian Ann Hurt, left, and Apache Principal Betty McCallister, right, presented Pillado with a certificate of appreciation.

As the newest statewide elected official in Austin, I expected a learning curve, but 2021 has surprised even this old rodeo cowboy. My time in office started out with the impacts of COVID-19 and Winter Storm Uri, and now we are witnessing the impacts of cyberattacks on our pipelines.

McDonald’s owner Irma Campbell proudly supports the nonprofit children’s advocacy organization Frontier CASA, Inc., as she presented a check on May 12 to benefit the children Frontier CASA serves. Campbell and McDonald’s of Alpine held a fundraiser on April 30, and 20% of the restaurant’s sales were donated. Present at the occasion was Noemi Aguilar of Frontier CASA in Alpine; Benjamin Barrientes; Campbell; Veronica Lopez, Executive Director of Frontier CASA in Fort Stockton; Pabla Gonzales, Frontier CASA of Fort Stockton; and Jerry Castellano, Frontier CASA Alpine. Avalanche photo by Roxanne Hill

On May 12 Senator Roland Gutierrez (D-Bexar) announced the release of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, funds from President Joe Biden’s recently signed American Rescue Plan. Around $887 million will be brought into Senate Dist.