TX-23 · County news
Presidio County News
Local news for Presidio County, Texas, county seat Marfa. Every story is from a local paper or regional outlet, with a plain-language bottom line on what it means for residents and a link to the original reporting. Updated daily.
· Community · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Print paper will be bi-weekly: An update from our executive director
The Big Bend Sentinel will print bi-weekly for the remainder of the year while raising $250,000 to rebuild its financial foundation.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Public safety · NewsWest 9 (Midland-Odessa)
Odessa driver involved in Presidio County rollover
An Odessa driver was involved in a rollover accident in Presidio County, according to NewsWest 9.
Original at NewsWest 9 (Midland-Odessa) ↗· Community · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Will Boone and Randy Kennedy discuss their play Red Gap
Marfa Public Radio is airing a reading of the play Red Gap, co-written by Will Boone and Randy Kennedy, which dramatizes the 1927 Santa Claus bank robbery in Cisco, Texas.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Community · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
In its 3rd year Marfa MUST helps connect artists far and wide
Marfa MUST, a local artist directory launched in 2024, is hosting its first international guest artist, Belgian multidisciplinary artist Reinout Zeeger, for the exhibition Marfa Lights.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Border · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Big Bend artists band together against the wall
Big Bend artists are creating works depicting the border wall construction, while local galleries serve as campaign stops for gubernatorial candidates Gina Hinojosa and Brandon Herrera.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Elections · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Letters to the Editor: October 8, 2026
A candidate for Presidio County Commissioner Precinct 4, a lawyer with 30 years of public issues experience, is asking for votes in the October 8, 2026 election.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Community · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
What’s that on the hill?
Marfa filmmakers Rusty Martin and Susan Kirr completed a 20-foot monolith in Casa Piedra featuring a mosaic of a nude actress, visible to travelers on a remote desert road.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Economy · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Something rare, a jury trial in the county, gets canceled in Brite Ranch battle
Hester Ann White canceled a scheduled jury trial to partition the 65,000-acre Brite Ranch, agreeing to split the land into four pieces with her siblings.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Border · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Big Bend artists band together against the wall
Big Bend artists are using their work to oppose the steel border wall, with Presidio artist Yosdy Valdivia’s gallery becoming a campaign stop for gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Community · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Our path forward: a Letter from Executive Director Kate Bubacz
The Big Bend Sentinel is transitioning to a nonprofit newsroom model starting in October 2026, shifting ownership to the community through board members, donors, and writers.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Community · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Pick your pumpkin at the Wagon Wheel Community Garden Harvest Party Oct. 31
The Wagon Wheel Community Garden in Marfa invites residents to a Harvest Party on October 31 to pick pumpkins and gourds, browse vendors, and enjoy food and music.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Economy · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Capital Highlights: October 6, 2026
Senate candidates spar over gas taxes while Gov. Abbott lifts restrictions on dyed diesel to lower prices. A state error caused a backlog of 200,000 voter registrations.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Agriculture · Houston Public Media
New World screwworm cases climb to 53; new case confirmed in Brewster County dog
Confirmed New World screwworm cases in the U.S. have reached 53, including a new case in a Brewster County dog. Three cases remain active in Texas and New Mexico.
Original at Houston Public Media ↗· Infrastructure · CBS7 Odessa
Presidio County Sheriff’s office warning of significant damage on FM 170 or ‘River Road’
Presidio County Sheriff warns of significant damage on FM 170 East, citing loose pavement and rocks. TxDOT has placed warning signs, advising extreme caution for motorcyclists.
Original at CBS7 Odessa ↗· Public safety · CBS7 Odessa
1 dead in 2-vehicle crash in Presidio County
One person died in a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle and pickup truck on US 67 near Elephant Rock in Presidio County. The pickup driver was uninjured, and the Texas DPS is investigating.
Original at CBS7 Odessa ↗· Public safety · NewsWest 9 (Midland-Odessa)
One dead in Presidio County motorcycle crash
One person died in a motorcycle crash in Presidio County.
Original at NewsWest 9 (Midland-Odessa) ↗· Border · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Judge halts border barrier construction in Big Bend
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting ground-distrurbing border barrier construction in the Big Bend region, ruling the government’s constitutional claims were likely to succeed.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Public safety · NewsWest 9 (Midland-Odessa)
Presidio County deputies come to aid of border agents stranded on cliff
Presidio County deputies assisted border agents who were stranded on a cliff.
Original at NewsWest 9 (Midland-Odessa) ↗· Schools · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Big Bend Sentinel – October 2,
Marfa ISD invites the community to its first “Let’s Talk About It” open forum with Superintendent Stephen McCanless and district leaders.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Public safety · CBS7 Odessa
Presidio County deputies recover another stolen truck with fake title
Presidio County deputies recovered a 2021 Dodge pickup with a fraudulent title that was scheduled for import into Mexico. The vehicle was found at a transmigration yard after investigators identified inconsistencies between the altered title and active lienholder records.
Original at CBS7 Odessa ↗· Border · NewsWest 9 (Midland-Odessa)
CBP to lift pause on Big Bend border construction
Customs and Border Protection resumed construction of 61 miles of border barrier in Presidio County on Wednesday, ending a previous pause.
Original at NewsWest 9 (Midland-Odessa) ↗· Schools · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Marfa schools host ‘Let’s Talk About It’ open forum
Marfa ISD will hold its first “Let’s Talk About It” open forum on Wednesday, October 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the district auditorium.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Public safety · NewsWest 9 (Midland-Odessa)
Murder charge dismissed in March 2018, Jeff Davis County stabbing of Marfa teacher, Sheriff says
The Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office dismissed a murder charge against Daniel Sullivan regarding a March 2018 stabbing of a Marfa teacher. The dismissal follows new developments in the ongoing investigation.
Original at NewsWest 9 (Midland-Odessa) ↗· Schools · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
McCanless doubles role at district, district doubles-down on college readiness
Marfa ISD Superintendent Stephen McCanless has assumed the additional role of junior high and high school principal. The district also launched two new college readiness partnerships with Texas A&M AgriLife and Sul Ross State University.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Border · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Big Bend landowners file suit over border wall
A coalition of 230 Big Bend landowners filed a sixth lawsuit in Washington, D.C., challenging the Trump administration's authority to seize private land for border barriers. The suit opposes plans to construct 165 miles of wall and related infrastructure across the region.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Border · Weatherford Democrat
Texas landowners ask a court to stop Trump’s Big Bend wall plans
Landowners, ranchers, and business owners in the Big Bend region filed a lawsuit on September 14, 2026, to halt the Trump administration's border wall and infrastructure plans.
Original at Weatherford Democrat ↗· Border · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Landowners set for legal announcement regarding border wall on Monday
Conserve Big Bend will hold a press conference Monday at 10 a.m. at the Presidio County Courthouse in Marfa to announce a legal development regarding border wall construction.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Government · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Public information, free speech rights go hand in hand
Kelley Shannon of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas announced a state conference on September 18 in Austin to address concerns about the erosion of the Texas Public Information Act and free speech rights.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Economy · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
HTeaO opens a new store in Presidio
HTeaO opened its first Presidio location on September 12 at 316B Jose Rodriguez Street. The store, operated by the Lara family, offers in-store and drive-thru service with tea, coffee, and water.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Border · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Head of Homeland Security was a no-show for planned meeting with county judges
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin missed a Wednesday meeting with border county judges regarding wall projects, leaving staff to discuss the agenda. Brewster and Presidio County judges reported no new information, though a construction pause in Big Bend areas remains in effect until September 30.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Community · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Awesome Street serves up a new take on a beverage lounge
Anthony DeSimone opened Awesome Street, a new beverage lounge in Marfa serving beer, wine, coffee, and non-alcoholic drinks. The space features groovy music and visual design, reflecting DeSimone's 20-year history in West Texas hospitality.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Elections · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Democratic candidates visit county on Labor Day weekend
Democratic candidates Eddie Morales and Clayton Tucker visited Shafter and Presidio on Labor Day weekend to oppose border wall projects and discuss water protection. They met with residents and local leaders to address concerns regarding the wall's impact on Big Bend's natural beauty and mining operations.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Community · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Pride Marfa announces 2026 full schedule
Pride Marfa announced its fifth annual festival schedule for September 11–13, 2026. The event features art exhibitions, film screenings, and performances by regional and visiting queer creators at venues across Marfa.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Border · Uvalde Leader-News
Uvaldeans fear border wall could cut ties to Porvenir
Border wall construction in Presidio County is underway, with panel installation scheduled for October 2026 and completion in 2028. U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed Chispa Road will remain open, though specific impact details are pending.
Original at Uvalde Leader-News ↗· Health · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Presidio breaks ground on new health clinic
The Big Bend Regional Hospital District broke ground Wednesday on a $4.5 million health center at 1204 E. O'Reilly in Presidio. Construction by Lubbock's Oprex is expected to take one year.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Community · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Marfa Lights Festival set for Labor Day weekend
The 39th Annual Marfa Lights Festival is scheduled for Labor Day weekend, running from Friday, September 4, to Sunday, September 6. The event features a diverse musical lineup, a Saturday parade, and a special 'Cosmic Circus' performance.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Schools · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
Senior Sunrise signals new days dawning for grad class
Marfa High School's Class of 2027, consisting of 12 seniors, gathered at Martin Field Sunday morning for a Senior Sunrise event. The group prayed and took photos before beginning their final year of high school on Monday.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗· Public safety · NewsWest 9 (Midland-Odessa)
One arrested in Presidio in connection with a bond violation tied to homicide case in Midland County
A 20-year-old passenger was arrested in Presidio following a traffic stop. The arrest resulted from a warrant for bond violations linked to a homicide case in Midland County.
Original at NewsWest 9 (Midland-Odessa) ↗· Public safety · CBS7 Odessa
Man with homicide-related warrant arrested after traffic stop in Presidio County
Presidio County deputies arrested 20-year-old Daniel Torres on August 24 after a traffic stop on Highway 67. Torres, a passenger in a speeding vehicle, had an outstanding Midland County warrant related to a homicide case.
Original at CBS7 Odessa ↗· Government · Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa)
City of Marfa seeks citizens to serve on boards and commissions
The City of Marfa is seeking new members for its Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment. Residents may submit letters of interest via email, hard copy, or mail.
Original at Big Bend Sentinel (Marfa) ↗
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