December 2023

If it’s the Holiday Season, that means that once again the Fort Stockton Rotary Club will be collecting and distributing toys to the needy children of Fort Stockton and Pecos County. This year a list of more than 350 children was submitted to Rotary Toy Drive Chairman Malissa Trevino, including kids from Imperial as well as Fort Stockton.

Before the Fort Stockton Prowlers varsity basketball squad headed north to the Monahans Chamber of Commerce Tournament today, they first had to travel south and east to Del Rio to face a Queens team that had been struggling of late. But the hosts were unfriendly as they downed their Prowler visitors, 3726.

New Fort Stockton boys basketball coach Travis Lancaster has said he’s scheduled top competition in order to make the Panthers better. The Panthers certainly are physical, and have taken some lumps this season, and the team’s farewell to 2023 was certainly one of those games as Fort Stockton fell to an athletic Permian squad 108-50 on Dec. 19.

Following the angel’s instructions, the shepherds arrived in Bethlehem to find the newborn baby lying in a manger. Wondering why these strangers had come to see her child, the shepherds told Mary about the angels’ announcement. Luke says, “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

This year our world has been plagued by wars, threats, and rumors of more wars at any minute. Sadly, untold numbers killed and millions fleeing for their lives. Not counting floods and droughts besides all kinds of problems, difficulties, sickness with family, friends or loved ones. Remember we are not without hope because of a great event that took place many years ago. Some shepherds were camped out with their flocks when suddenly they were surrounded by a bright light and an angel stood before them. The angel told them not to fear that he had good news for them and also for the whole world. That day someone very special had been born and He was to be the Savior of the world, (Luke 2:8-14). He is Christ the Lord. He was also called Immanuel which means, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23). Many prophecies were made about Him in the bible. Like, He can bring peace to the World, (Isaiah 9:6&7). He is called the anointed one, (Psalm 2:2). And one of my favorites, (John 1:29) “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Later there were some wise men that came and worshipped Him, (Matthew 2:1&2). Let us try and be like those wise men this Christmas season and Worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, (Revelation 19:16).

Dear Editor: The Democrats started the Civil War of 1861-1865, resulting in the deaths of 620 thousand Americans. They backed slavery.

The ink was barely dry on a law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott that makes unauthorized entry into the United States a state crime before a lawsuit was filed by civil rights groups and El Paso County challenging its constitutionality. The Austin American-Statesman reported the suit was filed in an Austin federal court by the ACLU and two immigrant advocacy groups on behalf of the county.

Since two of my daughters are now in college and one is in high school, Christmas just “hits different”– as those crazy kids (and my not-so-secret, sort-of-butnot- really guilty pleasure, Taylor Swift) say these days.

YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO 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.

Sul Ross State University faculty and researchers will begin hosting monthly guided hikes on Hancock Hill in January. Each hike will have a theme and hike leader who serves as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) from Sul Ross State. Hike themes will vary each month with topics ranging from birds and plants to geology and anthropology.