April 2023

Springhirst renovation gains likelihood

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Economic development incentives are a way to encourage quality development, and the Texas PACE – Property Assessed Clean Energy program – is a financial tool to encourage property owners to upgrade facility infrastructure with little or no capital outlay.
The renovation of the former Springhirst Hotel, located in downtown Fort Stockton on Main Street., gained momentum with the likelihood of the PACE program being approved. File Photo

Prowler sophomore sensations seal sweep of Maidens

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In a contest where the Prowlers left the bases loaded twice, Mia Garcia’s season-best performance at the plate and Fort Stockton’s defensive performance in the final three innings of Tuesday’s contest against Seminole proved to be the deciders.

Garcia’s home run – her fourth dinger of the season – turned a 6-3 deficit into a 6-6 tie in the bottom of the second frame.

Mia Garcia extrudes a big smile as she rounds second base following her three-run homer against Seminole on April 11 at Prowler Field. Photo by Nathan Heuer

Ben Carson Reading Room opens at Apache Elementary

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Apache Elementary School hosted the grand opening of their Ben Carson Reading Room on April 6 in Fort Stockton.

The Ben Carson Reading Project, founded by retired, world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and New York Times bestselling authors Dr. Ben Carson and his wife, Candy, is an initiative of the Carson Scholars Fund.

The purpose of the Ben Carson Reading Project is to create a literacy-enriched environment for children to become proficient and enthusiastic readers.

Reading Room Grand Opening

McDonald Observatory celebrates 1-year anniversary of dark sky reserve

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This week, McDonald Observatory and numerous partners join in celebrating the first anniversary of the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve.

Covering more than 15,000 square miles in Texas and Mexico, the reserve is the largest dark sky place in the world certified by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).

This achievement builds on a rich history of efforts to preserve the night skies in the region.

Milky Way over the Davis Mountains. Courtesy Photo

Basketball pavilion a possibility at middle school campus

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As Kevin Costner once said in the 1989 film Field of Dreams, “if you build it, they will come.” Fort Stockton ISD School Board President Billy Espino iterated those words in reference to the possibility of a basketball pavilion being built at the middle school campus. Board member Andy Rivera introduced the idea to superintendent Dr.
The current fenced-in vegetation, just west of the Fort Stockton Middle School campus, is considered an eye sore to many and could be replaced by a basketball pavilion if the school board decides to move in that direction. Photo by Nathan Heuer

Planning a post-Easter hiatus?

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GUEST COLUMNIST Right now, the land echoes with songs such as “Power in the Blood” and “Because He Lives,” but past performance assures me that the ditty waiting in the wings is (apologies to Alice Cooper) “God’s Out For Summer.” Yes, countless people (whether unchurched or nominally religious) are counting down the days until Easter goes hopping down the bunny trail for another year. Admittedly, these folks have endured four or five stressful months.
Planning a post-Easter hiatus?

Will border patrol get whipsawed for doing their job?

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GUEST COLUMNIST Controversy surrounding the fabled Border Patrol “whipping” at Del Rio, Texas, continues to swirl eight months after an exhaustive government investigation concluded that no agents struck any migrants. Despite the findings, the Department of Homeland Security has not closed the Sept.
Will border patrol get whipsawed for doing their job?