January 2026

Robert B. Calderon, 65, entered into eternal rest on January 4, 2026, in his hometown of Fort Stockton, Texas. Born on September 21, 1960, in Fort Stockton to Manuel and Sista Calderon, Robert remained a lifelong resident of the community he loved.

The Big Bend Open Road Race (BBORR) officially kicked off its spring registration on January 3 at 9:00 a.m. (CST). Drivers looking to challenge themselves on TexasHWY285wereencouraged to set their alarms and be ready, as available spots are limited and fill quickly.

The Fort Stockton City Council will hold its first regular meeting of the year on Monday, January 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the City Hall located at 121 West Second Street.

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The Pecos County Commissioners Court closed out 2025 by filling a key veteran services role and securing a significant reduction in county insurance premiums during two year-end meetings. During a regular session on Monday, December 22, the court voted to hire Michael Pulis as the new Pecos County Veteran Service Officer.

For the Pecos County Dinner Tonight Cooking Club, it was “the week after Christmas” as they hosted their Winter Wonderland themed meeting. Originally set for December, the event had to be moved to January when the Extension Office lost water. No matter, the party went on!

This year’s Wildlife Weekend held in Alpine on January 30- February 1 focuses on owls of the Davis Mountains, featuring experts from Borderlands Research Institute, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and other conservation organizations. All events are free and open to the public.

The Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District (MPGCD) has scheduled a public hearing to address a proposed increase in fees for exporting groundwater outside of Pecos County, a topic that has drawn significant attention in the region.

In one of the most arid regions of Texas, where water sustains communities, working lands, wildlife and local economies, Sul Ross State University has launched the Meadows Research Institute for West Texas Water, supported by a $2.75 million commitment from The Meadows Foundation that includes both longterm endowment funding and multi-year operational support.

A spate of new laws took effect on Jan. 1, The Dallas Morning News reported.