July 2026

Fort Stockton Pioneer.

Happiness. I began to think these words were written this way for emphasis like SHOUTING when we text today. I urge you to go to the following website and read this for yourself. www. ushistory. org/declaration/document/ index. Or your can go to government and search documents to find it.

“When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the seperate and equal stations to which the laws of Nature and Nature’s God entitle them. . . . .

This week we celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation. Last year, at this time I wrote about how two former presidents and signers of the Declaration of Independence died on the 50th anniversary of our birthday. After reflecting on the significance of 250 years, I decided I needed to reread this document. I admit, I graduated high school almost 70 years ago. I quickly recognized the opening sentences in the first two paragraphs. Looking at a copy of the document, I was humbled by my lack of a more detailed memory, I then began to notice certain words were capitalized, example; united States, Life, Liberty, and

Fort Stockton residents will have plenty of opportunities to do more than watch this year’s Independence Day festivities as the community celebrates America’s 250th birthday with a full slate of competitions, tournaments and family activities during the annual Fourth of July Celebration at James Rooney Memorial Park on Saturday.

The Alpine Cowboys will carry plenty of momentum into one of the biggest weekends of their season after winning two of three games on the road against the Tucson Saguaros, setting the stage for their annual Independence Day homestand at Historic Kokernot Field.

The Fort Stockton Recreation Department officially wrapped up another successful Summer Rec program, closing out weeks of activities, games and learning while thanking the many community members who helped make the 2026 season possible.

Local FFA members representing the Buena Vista, Fort Stockton, and Iraan FFA chapters attended the Area II Leadership Conference at Howard College in Big Spring June 16-18, 2026. Buena Vista FFA members Cody Schoenfeldt and Eli Schoenfeldt, Fort Stockton FFA members Brenna Downing, Meagan Hanson, Karen Villanueva and Karla Villanueva, and Iraan FFA members Canna Cravens, Juan Martinez, and Khloe Noelke represented their school chapters, as well as the Big Bend District, at “ALC”, an annual leadership development program for FFA leaders.

On Sunday, July 5 the Fort Stockton Film Society will host a special “matinee” screening of 1776 at 2:00 p.m. at the Nelson Street Theater.

Former students and faculty of Balmorhea High School (BHS) are preparing to walk down memory lane this September during the Balmorhea All School Reunion. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 5, 2026, as part of the broader Balmorhea Labor Day festivities.