The most challenging road race in the world is back this weekend. 

The roar of engines speeding on Highway 285 is a sign of spring here in West Texas, just as sure as the thawing of land in the north, the start of the NBA playoffs, and Opening Day in baseball tell America that winter has concluded. 

This year marks the 26th time the fourth Saturday of April will see the closure of Highway 285 for the Big Bend Open Road Race. 

Fort Stockton’s city council, at its April 10 meeting, heard an update on the Blue Ridge Farms property the city owns off County Road 109. 

Alex Gonzalez with BioCatters LLC – an investment and management group looking to develop renewable fuels and energy sources that the City of Fort Stockton has contracted with – said that improvements are being made to access the property, and plans are forthcoming to improve roads, gates and cattle guards onsite. 

Their best was saved for last.

In their season finale at Andrews on Tuesday, the Prowlers softball team stunned the district runner-up Mustangs with a 17-hit offensive showcase.

Fort Stockton maintained the lead for all seven innings of the contest and held off a Mustang seventh-inning rally to secure a 12-10 victory.

The Panthers track and field team derailed Andrews’ dynasty a season ago, winning a district title for the first time since 2009 and ended the Mustangs’ 10-year reign as champions.

Fort Stockton has now established themselves as the new frontrunner in their respective district in Class 4A.

The Panthers captured a second consecutive district title at the 4A District 3 Track & Field Championships on April 15 in Greenwood.