January 2022

January 1958 issue: ROCKETRY TALK – Four youthful Fort Stockton rocket enthusiasts compare notes on missile design and fuel use. From left to right are Bryant Wilson, 17; Richard Harral, 17; Jackie Simpson, 15 and Phil Duncan, 15. The quartet has set off several small rockets successfully an hopes to graduate to larger, more complex ones in the future.

Dear Neil: I spent a ton of money having my St. Augustine resodded two years ago. This winter it developed a bunch of brown circles. I used a product from one of the big box stores, but it didn’t really help. I’ve raked the circles and applied weed and feed. I can’t afford to do all of this again. What caused it, and what can I do to stop it?

A well-balanced offense and a sound defense helped the Prowlers junior varsity squad secure a win coming off their holiday break on Dec. 30.

Fort Stockton’s Caleb Garcia netted a career-high 27 points against Crane on Dec. 28 in the Panthers opening contest of the Monahans Chamber of Commerce Tournament.

Yes, it’s that time again when I reminisce about the important events that have transpired over the past 12 months, like how in the world I grew so much ear hair in one year. My elders have often told me how fast time flies, but I never really believed them until I began to feel like I was shaving about every 30 minutes.

A recent Reddit thread discusses the lack of heroes in modern society, but the truth is we have plenty of heroes. It’s true that in the internet era, historic figures we once considered heroic are being reevaluated as their past misdeeds and personal peccadilloes are revealed.

Fresh out of college and full of whimsy, Seung and Sophi sprung out of a red 1989 BMW 3-Series (E30). “This is our first time in Texas,” said Sophi with a big smile.

The second-oldest business in the city – Fort Stockton Insurance – celebrated its 110-year anniversary on Dec. 30 with a ribbon cutting ceremony held by the chamber of commerce. Their newly renovated office, located at 901 W. Dickinson Blvd, was on display while guests were able to enjoy a variety of catered food and beverages. The Fort Stockton Insurance Agency was founded in 1911 by Herman H. Butz, a local businessman, entrepreneur and later on a Pecos County Judge. The business was sold when Butz retired in the middle of the 20th century. The building was expanded by owner Michael Walling in 1980. After Walling sold the business to Terry Carr, it changed hands several times, finally ending up with Jay Tom Holstein, who owned the business until 1998. Phil Chamberlain then bought the business in 1998 and maintained ownership for the next 20 years. Pam Palileo bought it in 2018 from her father and has since owned the business. Photo by Nathan Heuer

Rafael “Rafy” Aguirre was honored with a retirement dinner hosted by Precinct 2 Commissioner Robert Gonzales, the commissioner’s wife, Annette, and the Precinct 2 staff on Dec. 30. During Rafy’s 17 years of service, he had the privilege of working with four commissioners. Congratulations and best wishes on your retirement Rafy. Courtesy Photo

Orlando Chavarria, right, received his five-year service award from Pecos County Commissioner Robert Gonzales on Dec 30. Chavarria started his employment with Pecos County in the Building Maintenance Department then transferred to Precinct 2, where he is currently employed. Courtesy Photo