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Howard Payne University recognized 239 students for academic success during the fall 2021 semester. Former Fort Stockton High School graduate Sayde Hall was named to the President’s List for maintain a 3.65-3.99 grade point average.

The Texas Sheep Dog Association kicked off their winter series at the Fort Stockton Gun Club from Feb. 10-13. More than 100 dogs and their handles from Texas and across the country competed in the event. The event has been in Fort Stockton in 10 of the last 11 years. The Texas Sheep Dog Association was originally founded in 1963 at San Saba, Texas by a small group of Border Collie enthusiasts. See a photo album for free on the Pioneer’s Facebook page. Photos by Nathan Heuer

Steak House Restaurant in Fort Stockton held a retirement party for longtime owners John and Alma Pacheco on Feb. 11. The couple retired after running the business for 33 years. The event featured a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce and the serving of free food, drinks. Live music was also featured at Friday’s retirement party. Abigail Pacheco Dominguez, the niece of John Pacheco, will now take ownership of the business. “As my uncle John Pacheco begins his new journey in life, I would like to acknowledge all his hard work and dedication he has shown for the last 33 years. He has been an exemplary person in my life, and I wish to follow in his footsteps. I admire his determination to achieve his dreams and make them realizations. I hope to accomplish the same,” she said. Photo by Nathan Heuer

Traveling couple Steven and Leslie King opened the door to the Mesquite Tree Gifts, Ice Cream & Coffee Shop and found themselves sinking into leather chairs with hot coffees in hand. “This coffee shop has a very comfortable setting,” said Steven as he tasted his amaretto latte.

If you have an event for our Do Something! listing, please e-mail nathan.heuer fortstocktonpioneer.com. FEB.

This year, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is teaming up with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to remind football fans and Super Bowl partygoers that designated drivers are the best defense against the dangers of drunk driving.

President Karan Heffelfinger, left, presented the following award winners at the Toastmasters meeting on Jan. 28 (from left to right). Lilly Gonzalez, Best Speaker; Alicia Salinas, Best Table Topics; Santa Acosta, Best Evaluator. Toastmasters meet at the Public Library on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at noon. Lunch is provided and the public is invited to attend. Please contact president Karan Heffelfinger for more information at 432-336-2541. Courtesy Photo

Toastmasters in Fort Stockton held their regular meeting on January 14. Karan Heffelfinger, left, won the Best Speaker; Oscar Gonzalez, middle, won the Best Table Topics Speaker; and Santa Acosta, right, won the Best Evaluator. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Friday’s of each month at noon at the library. Lunch is provided by Toastmasters. The public is invited. For more information please contact President Karan Heffelfinger at 432-336-2541. Courtesy Photo

Fort Stockton Middle School robotics teams traveled to Greenwood on Jan 29. The three teams competed in the intermediate arena division in which two teams formed an alliance. Two of the Fort Stockton teams aligned with one another and secured the top positions in the tournament. The students on the teams were are Addison Castro, Adrian Ramirez, Israel Tercero, Madison Hanson, and Fabian Ramirez. The third Fort Stockton team, consisting of Samuel Warren and Ignacio Ramirez, aligned with a Midland team and came in second. The first-place team will advance to the state competition in May. Courtesy Photo

A large convoy of local first responder vehicles head south on Front Street as they take part in the funeral procession for former Fort Stockton Police Department Dispatcher Amy Baiza. The 29-year-old served with the police department from 2018-2020 and was most recently working for the Monahans Police Department. Photo by Nathan Heuer