May 2025

Phyllis J. Halfmann Smith, 77 of Ft.

Fort Stockton Community Theatre announced that reservations are now open for its upcoming production of Sanders Family Christmas, a sequel to Smoke on the Mountain. Performances are scheduled for May 30 through June 4 at the theatre’s venue.

Last week, Pct. 4 celebrated the years that have been devoted by several treasured employees. Pictured here in the left photo, is Pecos County Commissioner of Pct. 4 Nathan Reeves and Nellie McDowell with the Pecos County fresh water. Mc-Dowell will have 36 years of service in 2025.

Highschool Art Show’s Final Days

KIRBY WARNOCK In 1941, RKO pictures released Orson Welles’ first film, Citizen Kane. Although he had never produced or directed a motion picture in his life, the 26-year-old Welles was given a half-million-dollar budget and full creative control, which was totally unheard of in its day.

MARFA - Dust isn’t the only thing blowin’ in the wind in Marfa. Marfa Live Arts presents Bob Dylan’s Birthday Bash to honor Dylan on his 84th birthday on Saturday, May 24th at Coyote Coffee in Marfa.

LAURA BUTTERBRODT AUSTIN – Here’s what the Texas Transportation Commission discussed and approved at its April 2025 meeting. Chairman Bruce Bugg announced TxDOT now has more than $60 billion in active construction projects across the state, setting an all-time record.

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS A Texas House bill would eliminate the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness test and replace it with a test comparing students’ performance to one another rather than state-set standards, the Austin American-Statesman reported. House Bill 4 would also create benchmark tests to measure students’ academic performance throughout the year.

This letter is in regard to the situation with the Pecos County Memorial Hospital District and Dr Pamela Gougler contract dispute. My first question is: Why would you not renew a contract that generates revenue for the hospital? Dr Gougler sees patients and they are charged for the visit. She might order Lab or Radiology exams for the treatment of her patient and that is more revenue for the hospital. Dr Gougler is an asset and not a liability. I worked at Pecos County Memorial Hospital as Radiology Director for over 40 years. It is a business like it or not and the hospital must have revenue to survive regardless of County or as Hospital District. We always had budget meetings every month for departmental functions and revenue with expenditures. The hospital would help itself by identifying each HealthCare Professional as to how they impact hospital operations. How many patients do they see and the revenue they generate for the PCMHD as we did in our departmental meetings back then. Hopefully this letter will not be necessary by next Thursday if the contract dispute is settled. But we honestly must review the PCMHD mission statement and identify assets vs liabilities. Our taxes went up and what did we get? Removal of MD’s Medical Doctors which are the lifeblood of any medical facility. PCMHD we can do better than that. Respectfully Submitted, Orlando Gonzales Radiology Director (PCMH) Retired

GUEST COLUMNIST When President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law on July 30, 1965, did my five-yearold self truly comprehend the personal milestone that I would someday reach? Nah.