November 2023

The state of Texas passed 13 of the 14 constitutional amendments on the ballot in Tuesday’s statewide general election. Proposition 13, which increased the mandatory retirement age for state judges, failed statewide, with 62.58% voting no. The proposition failed 602396 in Pecos County.

Quinn Edith Ward was welcomed into her family by her parents, Cyril and Alyssa Ward, and big brother, Baynes. She was born Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, at 4:18 p.m., weighing in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces and 20 inches long. The proud grandparents are James and Joanie Ward of Fort Stockton and Tim and Cyndy Legamaro of Corpus Christi. Quinn makes the 12th grandchild for the Wards. The young family is doing well.

YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO If you have an event for our Do Something! listing, please e-mail shawn. yorks@fortstocktonpioneer.

The 88th Texas Legislature was a strong water session – but our work is just beginning. Groundwater, and the need to preserve and protect local uses was clearly a concern during the regular session of the legislature that ended on May 29.

Most of us have a family member or at least know someone who is a retired educator. Our retired educators served a lifetime teaching or working to support school districts in some capacity to help us become productive citizens. You may find it interesting to know that the TRS (Teacher Retirement System of Texas) does not include a COLA (cost-of-living adjustment). Also, it is important to know that many retired educators are not eligible for Social Security and are solely dependent on their TRS pension.

For the second straight year under head coach Jeremy Hickman, the Fort Stockton Panthers are headed to the post-season. The Panthers earned that right with a solid 28-7 win on the road at Pecos last Friday night that featured a career night rushing by Corbin Luna and a pair of touchdown-saving interceptions by Gerry Diaz.

The Fort Stockton Prowlers’ season came to an end on Tuesday night in Seminole with a 25-10, 25-12, 25-13 loss to West Plains in the bi-district playoffs, Fort Stockton’s first bi-district appearance since 2016. West Plains High School is the newest school in the fast growing Canyon Independent School District and is located on the southwest edge of the city of Amarillo along Loop 335 just south of I-40.

With the loss, the Prowlers finish 19-22 overall for the season while West Plains is 38-7 heading to the Area Round.

.

The Fort Stockton High School Blue Wave swim team competed in the Monahans Invitational on Oct. 28, and showed grit and determination to work on their times and events placing fourth overall with 262 points out of 10 teams.