How a state effort to fund Texas schools equitably is shortchanging dozens of rural districts
For decades, the Texas comptrollerโs office has double-checked property valuations across the state, which help determine how much school districts can levy in property taxes. But when state and county appraisers disagree, districts can end up with big holes in their budgets.
Worldโs smallest Target store in Marathon, Texas, has been demolished
MARATHON, Texas โ RIP Target Marathon. Itโs referred to as the worldโs smallest Target and it stands off US Highway 90 outside Marathon, Texas, in remote Brewster County. In fact, itโs not actually a Target store, but a former railroad structure with the storeโs logo painted on it. The nearest real Target stores are a couple of hours away in Odessa and Midland. (Nan Palmero/Flickr)The iconic Target in Marathon is no more.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shares photos of employees killed in helicopter crash
BREWSTER COUNTY, Texas โ Officials with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shared photos of the three employees killed in a helicopter crash in West Texas on Saturday. The three men killed in the crash are Wildlife Biologist Dewey Stockbridge, Fish and Wildlife Technician Brandon White, and State Wildlife Veterinarian Robert Dittmar. The helicopter was in the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area in Brewster County conducting aerial surveys for desert bighorn sheep when the crash occurred. Stockbridge was the lead wildlife biologist at Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area just south of Alpine. Original Report: 3 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department employees killed in helicopter crash during bighorn sheep survey
3 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department employees killed in helicopter crash during bighorn sheep survey
AUSTIN, Texas โ Three Texas Parks and Wildlife Department employees were killed in a helicopter crash while conducting aerial surveys for desert bighorn sheep in West Texas, according to TPWD officials. The victims of the crash were identified as Wildlife Biologist Dewey Stockbridge, Fish and Wildlife Technician Brandon White, and State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Bob Dittmar, of Kerrville, according to the TPWD. โNo words can begin to express the depth of sadness we feel for the loss of our colleagues in this tragic accident,โ said Carter Smith, TPWD executive director, in a statement. Wildlife conservation in Texas lost three of its finest as they so honorably and dutifully carried out their calling to help survey, monitor and protect the bighorns of their beloved west Texas mountains. Dan Patrick also offered condolences to the families of the crash victims.
Big Bend National Park reopens to the public in a limited capacity
Brewster County, Texas โ Big Bend National Park is reopening to the public, but itโs only at a limited capacity for day use only. The park announced that all paved roads will be open except those in the Rio Grande Village, Castolon and the Santa Elena Canyon areas. 9 swimming holes near San Antonio that have reopenedCampgrounds, campsites, the Chisos Basin Lodge & Restaurant, areas for river use, backcountry trails, the Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry and all unpaved roads except in Dug Out Wells will remain closed at this time. Big Bend National Park announced a temporary closure back on July 1 after a positive case of COVID-19 in the park residential community. Take ultimate Texas waterfall road tripThe park is located in Brewster County, which falls under a mandatory mask order in public places along with group size restrictions.
$320 million Texas ranch, half the size of Rhode Island, for sale near Big Bend National Park
BREWSTER COUNTY, Texas โ Brewster Ranches is a massive 420,000-acre ranch on the north side of Big Bend National Park and itโs currently on sale for $320 million. Rio Texico is a 117,000-acre cattle and hunting ranch listed around $86 million. Dove Mountain is a 196,000-acre cattle and hunting ranch listed around $150 million. Horse Mountain is a 34,124-acre cattle and hunting ranch listed around $28 million. YE Mesa is a 52,022-acre mountain ranch listed around $40 million.