August 2023

STAAR scores show continued struggles in math, reading Texas public student scores in standardized testing continue to improve since the pandemic, but more than half of those taking the test still struggle with math and just under half read below grade-level, the Texas Tribune reported.

The Fort Stockton High School Panther tennis team traveled to Odessa last week to play District 2-6A member Odessa High School. After falling 4-3 after doubles action, the Panthers kicked it into high gear to start bringing in some singles wins and managed to keep it close throughout. “Although we were unable to come out on top, falling 10-9, the Panthers proved to themselves that they can compete with anyone as long as they follow the moto of Never Give Up Never Give In, and believe that they can win,” said coach Victor Garcia. “The match came down to two final singles matches, the Panthers needing both wins, line 5 girls singles and line 6 boys singles.”

The Fort Stockton Panthers and Prowlers participated in the Derek Hernandez Memorial Relay in Andrews over the weekend. There were 20 teams from the South Plains to the Permian Basin competing in both boys and girls divisions and the relay was composed of 81 girls teams and 77 boys teams running 1.5 miles each twice for a total of three miles per runner. Each team was composed of two runners from the same school. The Fort Stockton team of Ali Jackson and Summer Hinojos placed fifth out of 81 teams with a time of 43:54.56. The Lubbock Monterey team won the relay with a time of 40:17.78. Other prowler teams finished in 50th, 53rd, 54th, 62nd and 66th place.

Hot summer days of practice and two hotly contested scrimmages have led up to this: The opening game of the 2023 high school football season is Friday night, and the Fort Stockton Panthers will hit the road to El Paso to face Stephen F. Austin High School in a battle of the Panthers. Fort Stockton fans who venture to the west side of El Paso will see a mixture of young kids and some familiar faces eager to improve upon last year’s 10-2 campaign that ended in the second round of the playoffs with a loss to Glen Rose in San Angelo. Glen Rose eventually lost to eventual state champion Carthage.

After a 3-3 showing at the Nita Vannoy Memorial tournament in San Angelo, the Fort Stockton Prowlers varsity volleyball squad will be back on their home floor Friday and Saturday for the Comanche Classic at the Bill and Virginia Williams Special Events Center at Fort Stockton High School. Fort Stockton will enter their home tournament with a 7-8 overall record after last week’s San Angelo tournament.

Dear Neil: Our redbud is about 10 years old, and it appears to be in distress. It has been losing leaves, but now the pace has really picked up. It has so many yellowed leaves, and many are falling. Can you see what the problem might be?

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Optimism greeted beef cattle producers from around the country attending the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course recently for two primary reasons — high cattle prices and continued consumer demand, despite the higher beef prices.

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

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) “God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart.” The story behind this verse is that God has sent Samuel to anoint the new king of Israel.