Del Rio High School students will soon recover a one-day opportunity to donate blood through the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center.  The campus event will allow the Rams to rejoin hundreds of Texas schools in this region and thousands of donors their own age who, last year, donated more than 2,250 gallons of blood to needy recipients.

Texas Department of Transportation’s principal representative to this part of the Texas border is Albert Quintanilla, according to the agency’s recent press release, elevated from a four-month stint in the “interim” slot in Laredo, and a career in maintenance positions.

Eagle Pass and Del Rio, only a stone’s throw apart as Texans measure, seem destined to view each other with alternating envy and disdain, often forgetting that the two cities cross-pollinate with pleasing results.  Gordon Downing’s family and Del Rio quilter Sara Castle have traveled the high road between the two border communities.

Eleven elected or re-elected state and county office holders have been sworn to uphold the duties of their positions, and now get down to work following solemn and celebratory ceremonies in the county court at law courtroom of the Val Verde County Courthouse, Thursday morning (Jan. 1).

The Firehouse, managed by the Del Rio Council for the Arts, 120 E. Garfield Avenue, is the sole participating gallery in this month’s First Friday Art Walk, but Administrator Nancy O’Brien and Education Coordinator Nicole Helmer have the 87-year-old landmark stuffed with three simultaneous exhibitions.  Hours on Fri. (Jan. 2) are 7-9 p.m.

Red River Waste Solutions officials ask for customer patience as the new trash collection service in Del Rio gets underway on Feb. 1.  There are preparations needed, not only by the company but by commercial customers as well. 

CBR World Championships in Las Vegas, Nev. Promise to offer an overload of thrills, spills, and even frills with star-quality country entertainers performing in concert at the South Point Casino.  LIVE! rodeo raconteur John Ludlum offers compelling reasons to attend, including important Del Rio connections.

Hospice of Val Verde Regional Medical Center helps families and patients at one of the most difficult times of their lives. A team of caregivers support patients and their loved ones during the dying process.

Senior Airman David Evans remembers lining up on Gibbs Street to help protect Laughlin Air Force Base when Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) officials arrived in town when he was a kid. On Oct. 2, he returned to town as a member of the Air Force's Band of the West from Lackland Air Force Base to share his talent on the trumpet.

LIVE! Fishing Editor Ron Castle forecasts a grim future for sport fishing unless today’s sportsmen and –women get busy and start cultivating a renewed interest in wetting a hook with youngsters.  His evidence of the problem will challenge you.  Whether you choose to act or not, at least you’ll understand the consequences.

Val Verde County Librarian Willie Braudaway offers up a surprising list of Christmas traditions around the world, and a great service at the library for LIVE! readers to learn more.

Fort Clark residents and officers invite Del Rioans, Laughlin Air Force Base personnel, Winter Texan visitors and regional residents to come and take a look at festive holiday decorations.  The old office building shows off opulent “Old World” interior decorations, and the lights come on outdoors about 6 p.m.

Surely one of the most active, busy and energetic women in Del Rio, Janette Doucette, wife of 47th Flying Training Wing Commander Col. John Doucette, gave an evening of her time to show off an easy family favorite recipe, guaranteed to give a “feel good” feeling to diners in an aroma-filled home.