News

The heat wave that has swept across the state has taken a toll on many water wells in Texas, which were already affected by extended drought conditions. With a lack of moisture and record-setting temperatures, people who rely on well water need to be aware of the signs that their well may run out and take steps to prevent that from happening.

CHILD CARE CENTERS CLOSING ACROSS STATE An unprecedented number of child care centers are expected to close across the state as pandemic relief funding ends, the Texas Standard reported. A survey conducted by the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children of about 1,600 child care programs indicated 44% were likely to close their doors without additional funding.

It is important to note that an arrest should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Pecos County Memorial Hospital (PCMH) and Fort Stockton Independent School District (FSISD) are working together to make sure students have the opportunity to receive their required vaccinations before school starts on Monday, Aug. 14.

A new grant received by the Pecos County Sheriff’s Office will provide deputies with a new layer of protection in the event of an active shooter situation. Bullet-proof shields will be provided to each deputy to keep in their unit, and one will also be located inside each school campus.

Pickleball is taking the country by storm and the Fort Stockton Independent School District is getting in on the action. The FSISD Board of Trustees on Aug. 2 voted to add a pickleball court to the Fort Stockton Intermediate School tennis courts in lieu of resurfacing the tennis courts. Pickleball is a combination of table tennis (ping-pong) and regular tennis.

Your guide to local places to go and things to do! If you have an event for our Do Something! listing, please e-mail shawn. yorks@fortstocktonpioneer.

In an abbreviated special Fort Stockton City Council Meeting Monday evening, the city council discussed a proposed lower property tax rate for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The city is just beginning the budget process as the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. The 2022-23 rate was $0.359 per $100 of valuation and city finance director Maria Rodriguez is proposing a new tax rate of $0.3096 per $100 of taxable value.

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In response to work of a committee of teachers from every Fort Stockton Independent School District campus, and both campus and district- level administrators, the Fort Stockton ISD has been approved by the Texas Education Agency as a designated Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) district. With the approval of FSISD’s application, many of Fort Stockton ISD’s teachers can now take the next step in being recognized on three different levels (Recognized, Exemplary, or Master teacher) and earn opportunities to be rewarded financially.