April 2022

Fort Stockton Pioneer.

Driver Doug Masters, of Hutto, Texas, won the 100 miles per hour classification at the 24th Annual Big Bend Open on April 23. Masters received his award at the road race’s banquet on Saturday at the Pecos County Civic Center from Fort Stockton CVB Director Crystal Lopez, right, and Shelly Cleveland, left.

The PCCAA Head Start held their annual car show at the Zero Stone Park for their students today to celebrate Male Involvement Week. Students took part in a parade, walking from Head Start to the park in their vehicle costumes, before the event. Landree Rivera took first place overall, Mason Franco took second, and Blake Ramey placed third. Each were selected as winners of their respective classrooms. The additional winners of the four remaining classrooms were Khylie Jimenez, Roberto Ramirez, Dean Mata, and Michelle Ortega. Photos by Nathan Heuer

May is Older Americans Month. This is when the nation celebrates and honors older Americans. May is a time to recognize older Americans for their contributions, and provide them with information to help them stay healthy and active.

The sign at the recently built Amy Baiza Pavilion was vandalized on April 21 at Rooney Park. An investigation into who committed the crime in ongoing by the Fort Stockton Police Department. Police Chief Robert Lujan said that no one had came forward to as of April 25. The sign, along with a planted tree and plaque on a concrete slab, were placed at/near the pavilion to honor the former FSPD dispatcher, who passed away in January at the age of 29. Precinct No. 2 Commissioner Robert Gonzales said on April 27 that the sign should be back in place by the end of the week after reinforcements are done. Courtesy Photo

The Grey Mule Wine Saloon reopened its doors for business on April 21 with a full house of attendees. New owner, Michel Duforat, says the establishment served over 80 people, which exceeded his expectations for a soft opening.

The Fort Stockton Independent School District hosted a luncheon on April 25 at their central office for the 15 educators that earned Teachers of the Quarter recognition during the current school year. The educators were able to eat lunch with the district’s administrative staff as a symbol of appreciate by the district. The following are the teachers that were named Teachers of the Quarter for their respective campuses:

Fort Stockton’s longest tenured teacher, Belva Houston, was given a custom made plaque for her 52 years of Service at the Fort Stockton Independent School District at Monday’s annual staff recognition banquet. Pictured with Houston is Alamo Principal Linda Chavez, who presented the award to her. The plaque also represented Houston’s retirement. Photo by Nathan Heuer

I never had the Easter Bunny pegged for a PR flack, but he can now add it to his CV. Shortly after the White House Easter egg roll, the basket-toting Easter Bunny intervened and led President Biden away from a reporter who asked the president about Afghanistan.

My 52nd birthday was on April 20 which, as my dad still loves to remind me, is the same day as Adolf Hitler’s. As a child I remember thinking that 52 was an age that might be reached by an elderly Galapagos tortoise or a giant redwood tree – certainly not a human.