News

Fort Stockton Pioneer.

GARDENER’S MAILBAG Dear Neil, Regarding your recommendation of crape myrtles along streets, I do admit that under certain circumstances they can be spectacular, but they are not native to our state, and their seeds can spread into natural areas and crowd out species more useful to our environment. I would say that the yaupon hollies would be a better choice.

At least 11 people have died in Texas, nearly half of them children, after Winter Storm Fern swept the state last week, the Texas Standard reported. Among those killed were three young brothers who fell through ice on a private pond near Bonham, about 60 miles northeast of Texas. In the Dallas suburb of Frisco, two teens died after a sledding accident. They were riding on a sled being pulled by a vehicle.

Santiago Cantu Jr., a long-term public servant and 53-year resident of Fort Stockton, has officially announced his candidacy for Pecos County Judge, citing a platform built on fiscal responsibility, accountability, and community unity.

The Sul Ross State University Theatre Program’s production of “True West” by Sam Shepard has been invited to perform at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Feb. 20-24 in Abilene.

Historic Fort Stockton is inviting the community to a series of upcoming events, beginning with the Annual Banquet on February 19. Held from 6:00–9:00 p.m. at the Large Community Hall, the evening will feature a Prime Rib dinner and a presentation by guest speaker Alexander Hernandez. Hernandez, an archaeologist, will present fascinating findings regarding the oldest house in Fort Stockton. Tickets for the banquet are currently available for purchase online or at the Annie Riggs Museum.

Residents of Fort Stockton and Pecos County should prepare for a day of significant local governance on Monday, February 9, 2026, as both the Pecos County Commissioners Court and the Fort Stockton City Council convene for their regular sessions. From million-dollar recreation projects to critical infrastructure taxes, the day’s discussions will shape the community’s immediate future.

This Thursday night, February 5, the Pecos County Dinner Tonight Cooking Club will host a Super Bowl Appetizer party. Guests are asked to bring their favorite appetizer or snack and wear their favorite team’s colors, even if they are not playing in the Super Bowl.

The Fort Stockton Economic Development 4A Corporation is stepping up to the plate with a series of community-focused projects, headlined by an initiative to install new batting cages at local ballfields.

The Pecos County Commissioners Court addressed a wide range of public safety, infrastructure, and local development issues during its regular meeting Monday, enacting a 90-day burn ban while clearing the way for a major permanent housing development aimed at supporting the region’s data center industry. County officials opened the session with a disaster declaration regarding the threat of wildfires, followed by an order prohibiting outdoor burning through April 25, 2026.