April 2021

Five individuals earned distinct honors at the Big Bend Open Road Race banquet on April 24 at the Pecos County Civic Center. Todd Hammock of McKinney and his 2019 Challenger won the People’s Choice Award at the car show in Sanderson. Crystal Lopez, Fort Stockton CVB Director, was honored for her 15 years of service at the event. William Varnum of Saint Louis, Mo. and his 2020 Corvette were selected for the People’s Choice Award in Fort Stockton. John Kerr won the Herd Luck Award while John Tiemann took home the prestigious honor of Racer of the Year 2021. Also pictured with the award winners is Miss Fort Stockton Katie Salmon and Junior Miss Fort Stockton Aria Rojas. Courtesy Photos of Collette Barragan.

As we come to the close of April, we also come to the close of our exploration of the Five Solas. This week we explore the final two statements that came out of the Protestant Reformation, Sola Gratia (Grace Alone) and Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone).

In response to the ongoing influx of migrants across Texas’s southern border, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and U.S. Representatives Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and Tony Gonzales (TX-23) authored this op-ed in the San Antonio Express- News on April 23 announcing their bipartisan, bicameral legislation to respond to the crisis.

West Texas VA Health Care System will conduct a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Fort Stockton Outreach Clinic on Friday, May 7, from 10 a.m.- noon. The clinic is located at 1205 North Sycamore Street in Fort Stockton.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, recognized to help increase understanding and prevention of strokes. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel leading to or in the brain is blocked or ruptures.

Sul Ross State University recently appointed Sidney Balman, Jr., a Pulitzer-nominated war correspondent and awarded author, as its new writer-in-residence. Balman will teach journalism, creative writing, and communications courses, and help promote Sul Ross as an arts hub in West Texas.

Fort Stockton Community Theatre announced that reservations were being taken at Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce for the dinner theatre/play performance of “The Butler Did It,” written by Todd Wallinger and directed by Susann Hall.

Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) on April 23 announced over $350,000 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Head Start programs in the Texas 23rd District. Gonzales previously served as the community representative for the City of San Antonio Head Start Policy Council from 2018-2019.

The week of April 18–24 marked the 40th anniversary of the observance of National Crime Victims Rights Week. In cooperation with the City of Fort Stockton, Frank Lacy and his staff have donated and planted a red maple tree to honor victims of crimes in Pecos County.

Pecos County Historical Commission President Paul Weatherby announced a brief ceremony to commemorate the creation of Pecos County 150 years ago, to be held on Monday, May 3, at 10 a.m. The ceremony will commemorate the creation of Pecos County by the Texas Legislature on that day in 1871, and will be held at Zero Stone Park in cooperation with the county.