December 2021

All-district football selections were announced on Nov. 23 after the teams in 4A Region I District 2 concluded their seasons in the playoffs.

Fort Stockton born boxer Abel Mendoza improved his undefeated record to 31-0 on Nov. 20 at The Last Stand boxing event at the Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero, New Mexico. Mendoza won the super featherweight bout by way of TKO in round four against former WBC FECOMBOX champion Victor Zaleta. Mendoza now has 23 stoppages by either TKO or KO in his 31 professional fights. Mendoza said he plans to fight again by March at the latest. Photo by Nathan Heuer

Fort Stockton head boys basketball coach Zack Roberson made his coaching debut for the Panthers on Nov. 30 in his team’s season-opener against Lamesa.

Ismael M. Gonzales, 74, of Fort Stockton, Texas, peacefully passed away on the evening of Nov.

Tommy Joe Lawhon, Sr., was born Aug. 3, 1934, in Beaumont, Texas.

The Reverend Monsignor David Gallego Fierro, 71, retired priest of the Diocese of El Paso, Texas, was received into eternal life on Nov. 25, 2021. Msgr. Fierro, a native of Alpine, Texas, was born on Feb. 18, 1950 to his father, David H. Fierro and his mother Elodia Gallego Fierro.

Rebecca Ann “Becky” Wyche Hopkins, 78, of Midland, Texas, passed away Nov. 27, 2021.

I wish I had a change of heart, but I still can’t support it. Back in 2009, long before I got my beloved 11-month-old puppy, Thurber, I was critical of a proposed federal bill that sought tax deductions for pet owners.

Overpopulation’s negative consequences are wellknown to the nation’s environmentalists. Too many people lead to overdevelopment and put America’s already jeopardized resources, such as water, wetlands and wildlife, at further risk.