January 2025

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister. Rebecca Chavez Portillo departed this life on January 2, at the age of 84.

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 litzy.rodriguez@ fortstocktonpioneer. com January 9-10 Pecos County Livestock Show, Pecos County Coliseum January 9 Women’s Survivor Gathering, Glitzy’s Brew 2-3 p.m.

On the morning of New Years Day of 2025, community members, friends and family gathered in the Pecos County Courthouse to witness the swearing in of offices for several elected officials. After addressing those present and sharing the progress of the previous year, Judge Joe Shuster welcomed those who had won the Nov.

Bastrop — The first woman engineer in Texas is set to be honored with a new historical marker in Bastrop County. In 1938, Leah Moncure made history by becoming the first woman in Texas to earn a professional engineering license.

SAN ANTONIO– The Texas Agricultural Land Trust (TALT) has announced a new opportunity for landowners to engage in conserving one of the state’s most endangered ecosystems, the Coastal Prairie. As part of the Coastal Prairie Additive Conservation Partnership, TALT is opening applications from January 15, 2025, through February 28, 2025, aiming to integrate more landowners into efforts to preserve these vital landscapes.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced it will suspend regular mail delivery and retail services on Thursday, January 9, 2025, in observance of a National Day of Mourning for former President Jimmy Carter.

Maybe we do not realize just how well off or blessed we are until we lose it. It could be health, marriage, raising children, finances, jobs, housing, food, safe neighborhoods and these are just a few from a long list. There is so much turmoil and rumors of war in much of our world. There is violence, ruthless killing, people and families fleeing for their very lives. Leaving in the middle of the night with nothing but the clothes on their backs. And many times separated never to see a child or loved one again. Religious intolerance and people being forced to accept a religion or way they do not want or agree with. Sure, our Country has problems but it is a lot better than most places. We have so many freedoms and opportunities. May we begin the New Year on our knees thanking God for our country, (Colossians 1:16) and the many blessings it provides for us and asking Him to protect it, (Psalm 86:6). We may commit ourselves this New Year to read our Bibles more and spend more time in prayer, (Hebrews 10:22, Colossians 4:2). Our political leaders need our prayers. Also ask God to raise up good Godly leaders for us, (Romans 13:6&7). May our lives be filled with the presence of God and His love and may that be passed on to our families, local communities, Churches and our nation.

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, many find themselves caught up in the whirlwind of resolutions—ambitious goals and grand plans. But what if, instead of focusing solely on external changes, we took a moment to examine something deeper: our priorities?

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS The 89th Texas legislative session begins on Jan. 14 with a still-unresolved race for speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.

My wife recalls the night of December 31, 1999 as a time of anxiety and trepidation. (Of course she views every night as a time of anxiety and trepidation.