The Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce annual Joy Run took place on Dec. 16 at Focused Care at Fort Stockton. All residents received gifts from Santa, Chamber of Commerce members, and volunteers in the community. A silent auction was held from Nov. 28 to Dec. 9 to raise funds to buy Christmas gifts for residents and other needed items for the nursing home. The proceeds of the auction were used to purchase gifts for every resident at the facility.

In a set of rather bizarre circumstances, Abel Mendoza’s perfect record is still intact.

The West Texas undefeated super featherweight boxer (36-0) was scheduled to fight a contested bout at 132 pounds against Cristian Ruben Mino (22-7-2) on the main card of the Triller produced event on Dec. 10, which was headlined by Manny Pacquiao vs. DK Yoo.

A long-awaited state report concludes most pregnancy-related deaths in Texas in 2019 were preventable and disproportionately affected Black women.

The report, issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Committee, indicated deaths were mainly attributable to hemorrhage, mental health conditions and blood clots. Also playing a role were discrimination and violence, according to a Dallas Morning News analysis of the report.

Cruz Rodriguez Jr., 62, of Fort Stockton TX, passed away on Dec. 14, 2022. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Dec. 20th, 2022, with Pastor Scott Owens of Northside Church, officiating. Burial followed at East Hill Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Eternity Funeral Home.

Cruz Rodriguez Jr. was preceded in death by, his father Cruz Rodriguez Sr., and Mother Odilia De La Rosa Rodriguez of Fort Stockton.