July 2022

Pedestrian safety was at the forefront of the decision to place three speed bumps on Main Street in Fort Stockton this week. Fort Stockton City Manager Frank Rodriguez considered numerous factors when making the decision, including recommendations from local business owners, city council, and observations made.

With less than three weeks until school begins at Fort Stockton ISD, coaching staff additions within the district are nearing completion with new athletic director and head football coach Jeremy Hickman at the helm.

Pecos County Memorial Hospital and the Fort Stockton ISD are working together to get students vaccinated before school starts up again on Aug. 8. Each year parents attempt to register their children for school, and some find that their child is missing their required shots. This then causes the parent to scramble to get shots before school starts. Sometimes they can’t get into a doctor’s office until after school starts, and this means the student is not in class, and misses out on education until there is an updated shot record.

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

Dear Neil: Two or three years ago we planted three small Amethyst Falls wisterias at the base of our pergola thinking they would bring cooling shade in the summer. They survived the cold of February 2021 and kept on growing, but when they reached the top of the pergola the plants began dying. What would have caused it, and what can we do to save the plants? If we must replant, should we use Lady Banksia roses?

1982 issue: New Carpet Store: A ribbon-cutting by the Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors officially launched the city’s newest carpet store last Friday morning – Hill Carpets, located at 417 N. Main, in the former Lewis Shoe Store location. Pictured at right of center post in photo are Willie Hill Sr., Sylvia Hill, and Willie Hill Jr., owners and operators. Ambassador Boss Harlan Lambert holds the ribbon at left and the other end is held by Judge Charles Warnock (far right) Miss Fort Stockton Melanie McKenzie, was also on hand to wish the business a successful future in the Blue Ribbon City. Words of welcome were given by Judge Warnock. Chamber President E.F. Triplett (to right of Lambert) and Mayor Bruce McKenzie. The Hills have a successful carpet operation in Odessa and have now expanded to Fort Stockton.

The Junior Miss Fort Stockton award recipients from Friday’s Water Carnival pageant were: Jocelynn Carrillo, second runner-up, Ariana Alexandra Ramirez Junior Miss Fort Stockton, Aubrey Janelle Salgado, runner up.

This week we will look at the spring feasts, called this because of when they fall on the Jewish lunar calendar. Michael Norton in his book, “Unlocking the Secrets of the Feasts,” said, “The spring feasts picture the events surrounding Jesus Christ’s first coming.” (page 15) He goes on to say that the scripture in Leviticus chapter 23 verses 1-2 tells us that the feasts are God’s feasts, not Israel’s.

The cast of Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park” invites you to attend one of their performances which opens Friday, July 22, at 7 p.m. at the Nelson Street Theatre, 102 South Nelson Street. The play is presented by Fort Stockton Community Theatre, directed by Alice Duerksen, and sponsored in part by Edward Jones. It stars Penny Smith, Marcos Mendoza, Jordan Ward, Michael Shuttleworth, and Garrett Huckaby. Other performances that do not require a reservation are Sunday, July 24, at 2 p.m., and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 28-30 at 7 p.m. Doors will be open 30 minutes before curtain. Tickets can be paid for with cash or check at the door, adults $15, and 65 and older and students $10. Make plans to enjoy an evening of love and laughter. Courtesy photo of Vicki Mitchell