January 2026

“In recent weeks, our nation has been shaken by the tragic deaths of Renée Good, a mother of three, and Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse and veteran caregiver. Both were killed during federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. Their deaths have left families devastated, communities on edge, and Americans across the country, myself included, with profound and justified concerns about the use of force by federal agents acting under the authority of the government we entrust to protect us.

The electricity grid that covers most of Texas was holding up as of Sunday during the latest winter storm, although localized power outages were reported in Deep East Texas and far West Texas. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas dashboard indicated demand was running comfortably below available capacity.

“Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me.

In a recent conversation with the Pioneer, Kelly Christoffersen, a representative for Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP), detailed a significant but often overlooked opportunity for local businesses and non-profit organizations to save money and reduce energy consumption. Christoffersen, who works for the energy efficiency consultancy firm Frontier Energy, acts as a liaison for TNMP to implement state-mandated programs designed to lower the strain on the Texas power grid.

KIRBY WARNOCK With the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots set to meet in the Super Bowl, the Pecos County Dinner Tonight Cooking Club will host a Super Bowl appetizer party on Thursday, February 5 at 6:00 pm at the Texas A&M Extension Service offices located at 1618 Airport Drive, Fort Stockton, out by the airport and golf course. Everyone is invited to attend and bring your favorite appetizer.

Sul Ross State University has reached an historic milestone in its 110-year history. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has approved the university’s request to offer its first-ever doctoral degree in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.), with the inaugural cohort set to begin in Fall 2026.

During a regular meeting on Monday, January 26, 2026, the Fort Stockton City Council moved forward with significant infrastructure improvements and public safety investments, while hitting a stalemate over a property release from the city’s jurisdiction.

The Pecos County Memorial Hospital District Board of Directors moved to address a regional “oncology desert” and critical infrastructure needs during its meeting last week, approving a landmark partnership to bring cancer treatment to the community while raising alarms over outdated emergency equipment.

Mrs. Maria “Mary” De Los Angeles Villalba, lovingly known as “Nana,” passed away peacefully on January 19, 2026, in Odessa, Texas, at the age of 83. Her passing marks the end of a life filled with devotion to family, faith, and community.

The Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District board approved a 3% increase to its groundwater export fees during a meeting Tuesday, following public testimony regarding the long-term sustainability of the region’s water supply. The board voted unanimously to raise the export fee to 21.856 cents per 1,000 gallons for 2026, up from the previous rate of 21.22 cents.