March 2025

GUEST COLUMNIST I can’t help but dream this time of the year. It’s the thick of winter, you see, which means I’m spending hours huddled in my home office getting a million tax details in order for my CPA.

A slim majority of Texas House members have indicated they will back House Bill 3, which creates education savings accounts that allow families to use taxpayer money for private school education. The Dallas Morning News reported that 75 Republican legislators have signed on with the bill’s author, state Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, to support the measure.

In our always-connected world, true stillness can feel impossible. We wake up, check our phones, and are quickly swept into a stream of notifications and tasks. But what if the key to navigating this chaos is stepping away and spending intentional time alone with God?

The Fort Stockton Panthers baseball team delivered an outstanding performance on Tuesday night, securing a 3-0 shutout victory over the San Angelo Lake View Chiefs. Pitcher Ayden Villareal led the charge, striking out eight batters and allowing only five hits over 20 outs.

The Fort Stockton High School Girls Powerlifting team flexed their strength and determination at the Regional Powerlifting meet in Big Spring, delivering an outstanding performance that saw multiple lifters achieve personal records and secure podium finishes. Led by Coach Victor Garcia, the Prowlers added two more state qualifiers to their growing list, proving once again that their hard work in the weight room translates to success on the platform.

The Fort Stockton High School Track and Field teams continued their season at the Sandhills Relays in Monahans on Feb. 28, where the Panthers and Prowlers faced tough competition but showcased their steady improvement. The Panthers varsity team earned a fourthplace finish overall with 82.5 points, while the Prowlers varsity team placed sixth, securing 36 points. The junior varsity teams also had strong performances, with the JV Panthers placing second in their division and the JV Prowlers finishing fourth.

The Fort Stockton Middle School Blue Wave Swim Team kicked off their season with a strong showing at the Pecos Jr. High Invitational on Friday, February 28.

The Fort Stockton High School golf teams are off to a strong start, making their presence known in a series of tournaments over the past week. Both the Panthers and Prowlers showcased their skills on the course, bringing home top finishes and individual accolades.

Fort Stockton Pioneer Photos are from the Fort Stockton Pioneer archives at the Pioneer’s office located at 210 N. Nelson St .

GARDENER’S MAILBAG Dear Neil, we started to notice these spots in the St. Augustine in late summer and they are still here.