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No Injuries, 1 Arrest Following Rollover on East Poplar Street

DENTED DUMPSTER
Local emergency personal responded to a single vehicle accident on Poplar Street early Thursday morning. The crash knocked down a speed limit sign, damaged a dumpster, and resulted in one arrest. COURTESY PHOTO

Emergency personnel responded to a single-vehicle rollover on the 600 block of East Poplar Street on Thursday morning, January 30, 2025, at approximately 1:54 a.m. A speed limit sign was knocked down and a garbage dumpster was damaged in the wreck.

City Animal Control Officer Resigns, New Police Officer Sworn in at Council Meeting

NEW OFFICER
Juan Carlos Magana was pinned by his wife LeeAnn Magana after he was sworn in at Tuesday evenings city council meeting.
ANGIE BRYANT | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

Sonora Chief of Police Donnie Fernandez confirmed for the Devil’s River News this week that Animal Control Officer Sarah Webb has resigned. The Sonora City Council met Tuesday, January 21st for their regularly scheduled meeting. Things seemed a bit out of sync, however, in the absence of Mayor Juanita Gomez.

Commissioners Hear Short Agenda

FOUR MORE YEARS
Commissioner Precinct 1 Lee Bloodworth was sworn in by Judge Jody Harris during the Monday, January 27, 2025, meeting. He ran unopposed during the November 2024 election. ANGIE BRYANT | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

Sutton County Commissioners met on Monday, January 27, 2025, for a rather short agenda.

Bronco Cheer Places Sixth at State Competition

STATE RANKED
Members of the Sonora Bronco Cheer Squad competed at UIL State Competition on Thursday, January 16, 2025. The squad finished in sixth place. Front row (L-R) Liliana Gallegos, Aanz’Leigh Abalos, Angela Cardona, Madison Galindo and Jimena Leija. Middle row (L-R) Tayvin Gonzales, Braylin Welborn, Kendall Thorp, Abby Solis, Raquel Buitron and Dianna Silva. Back row (L-R) Miranda Mata, Sofia Garcia, Brandon Litterell, Masiela Valdez and Kenzee Bryant. ILLUSIONS PHOTOGRAPHY

The Sonora Bronco cheerleaders competed in the UIL Spirit State Championships in Fort Worth on Thursday January 16, 2025.

Sonora Teacher/Coach Arrested in S.A.

Arturo Duran Lopez III, 26, was a Sonora ISD teacher and coach prior to his arrest in San Angelo on Sunday, January 26th. He is charged with possession of a controlled substance.

SISD Trustees Meet, Make Note of Positions Up for Election on May 3rd

Sonora ISD Board of Trustees kicked off their 2025 meetings on Monday, January 20, 2025. Board members approved the order of election notice and the notice of election for the board of …

Sutton County Commissioners Meet for First Time in 2025

Sutton County Commissioners met Monday, January 13th and began the year with reports from the Sheriff’s Office and other county department heads. It was noted that the Sheriff’s …

ALL-STATE SELECTIONS Texas High School Coaches Association named it’s Academic All-State Team based on several criteria. The award is open to high school senior athletes, trainers, and managers …

E-edition

February 6, 2025

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Obituaries

Kay Marie (Johnson) Dossey

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Kay Marie (Johnson) Dossey, age 83, on January 10, 2025. Kay was a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She brought joy, smiles, …

Harold Turney Friess

Harold Turney Friess of Sonora was born in San Angelo at the Clinic Hospital, the firstborn son of Harold and Pauline Friess, on March 4, 1937. He passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of January 6, 2025 in San Angelo.

Blanche Taylor Regeon Babcock

Blanche Taylor Regeon Babcock, age 92, passed away on December 9, 2024, after battling dementia for just over a year.

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Local Public Notices

January 6, 2025

1) City of Sonora Certificate of Obligation 2) Edwards Plateau SWCD- Local Workshop

January 30, 2025

1) City of Sonora Certificate of Obligation 2) Edwards Plateau SWCD- Local Workshop Meeting 3) Notice to Bidders for Depository 4) SCUWCD Notice of Permit Application for Domestic Use

January 23, 2025

1) City of Sonora Notice of Deadline Public Notice 2) HCTC Non-Discrimination Statement 3) Sheriff Sale 4) Invitation for Bids City of Sonora

January 9, 2025

1) Sheriff Sale 2) Verizon Wireless Public Notice 3) Property Owners Public Notice 4)Sonora ISD Public Notice

January 16, 2025

1) Notice of Sale 2) SCUWCD Director Election Notice

More Local Public Notices

Sports

Reaching Milestones

During the first few weeks of the 2024-2025 basketball season two seniors reached milestones.

HEAD TO HEAD BATTLE
The Sonora Broncos went head to head with the Christoval Cougars on Friday, November 1, 2024. The Broncos fell to the Cougars 20-13 in the matchup. Up next they will travel to Colorado City in their final district game. ANGIE BRYANT | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

Cougars Upset the Broncos in Fourth District Game

This was the fifth meeting between the Christoval Cougars and the Sonora Broncos.

Broncos Fall Short to the Reagan County Owls

Sonora has played Reagan County 62 times since 1937. The Broncos have won 69% of the games. In the last two out of three years, the Owls have turned the tables on Sonora. Last Friday night was one of those nights when the Owls’ goal was to leave Bronco Stadium with a W. Reagan County fulfilled that goal and secured District 3-2A’s first place spot with the 20-7 victory.

STATE BOUND
After a fabulous finish, the Sonora Broncos boys team are headed to Round Rock for the state cross country meet. (Front L-R) Wyatt Killough, Gavin Covarrubiaz, Angel Castilleja, Justin Gonzalez, alternate Jack Rogers, Coach Tiffany Weston, (Back L-R) Tres Garza, Kody Prather, Jaycob Ramirez, alternate Eduardo Salazar and Coach Frankie Kay. COURTESY PHOTO- ALYSSA GARZA

Cross Country to Make First State Appearance since 2009

For the first time since 2016, both the Lady Bronco and the Bronco Cross Country teams represented Sonora in the Regional Cross Country meet in Lubbock.

TOPSY TURVY
Dylan Ford gets topsy turvy as Ozona Lion #74 shuts down his run. The Broncos fell 30- 6 to the Lions on Friday, October 18, 2024. Up next, the Broncos will host the Reagan County Owls this Friday.ANGIE BRYANT | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

Broncos Tough District Loss at the I-10 Rivalry Match-up

The 98th game between the two long time rivals did not go the way Sonora Bronco fans expected Friday night in Lions Stadium.

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Concho Valley

Living History School Scheduled at Fort Concho

Fort Concho will host the School of the Soldier, a living history training course, from Friday to Sunday, Feb. 7-9, for current and future volunteers who portray the soldiers of the 1870s and 1880s.

ASU Announces Schedule of Spring Planetarium Shows

The Angelo State University Planetarium will present 22 different full-dome public astronomy shows during its spring 2025 schedule beginning Wednesday, Feb. 5, in the Vincent Building at 2333 Vanderventer St.

Menard Certified As a Tourism Friendly Texas Community

Texas Governor Greg Abbott congratulated the City of Menard on Friday, December 6th. for being designated a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community by Travel Texas. The designation came in the inaugural year of the program after the community completed a multi-step certification process.

More Concho Valley News

Lone Star State

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick Releases List of 25 Legislative Priorities

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has released his top 25 legislative priorities as the legislative session gets underway, The Texas Tribune reported. They include banning all forms of consumable THC, the psychoactive ingredient in CBD products; increasing the school homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000; a Texas version of a government oversight department to improve governmental efficiency; and measures to shore up the state’s electric grid and water supply.

NATIONAL GUARD ON THE BORDER -- Texas National Guard members stand guard on the banks of the Rio Grande in El Paso in 2023. -- JOSE LUIS GONZALEZ | REUTERS

Texas National Guard to Make Immigration Arrests Under Agreement With Trump Administration

Texas National Guard soldiers now have the authority to make immigration arrests and help detain and deport undocumented people under an agreement between the state and the Trump administration that requires those duties be done under the supervision and direction of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official.

TEXAS NEMESIS: OAK WILT -- Oak wilt is often recognized in live oaks by yellow and brown veins showing in leaves of infected trees, known as veinal necrosis. -- COURTESY PHOTO | TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE

Preventing the Spread of Oak Wilt in Texas

Oak wilt is one of the deadliest tree diseases in the United States, killing millions of trees across 76 Texas counties. Texans can help prevent it from spreading by avoiding pruning or wounding oak trees from February through June.

Cattle & Bison Imports from Mexico Resume Under New Protocol

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) has announced the resumption of cattle and bison imports from Mexico, following a suspension that …

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Lifestyle

Galentine's Day has become a thing—why hasn't Malentine's Day?

The Conversation explores why men don't have a holiday to celebrate friendship between bros.

How a 4-day workweek could reduce burnout without hurting productivity

BuchhaltungsButler and DataPulse explore the effects of the four-day work week worldwide and as an idea growing in popularity in the U.S.

How to level up your cleaning routine in 2025

(BPT) - If you have struggled with fingerprints all over your stainless steel or stubborn stains on your cooktop, now is the time to take your cleaning routine to the next level and upgrade to …

Cities with the most people working from home

SmartAsset ranked 349 of the largest U.S. cities based on the percentage of workers who work from home, while also examining commute times for other workers.

Why breakup anxiety hits hard and how to get back on your feet

Rula examines the role of anxiety in the post-breakup experience, and how therapy can help.