News

Registration is now open for the second Water in the Desert Conference, which will be held Feb. 11– 13, 2026, at Sul Ross State University in Alpine. The conference will once again bring together landowners, scientists, policymakers, and community leaders to explore the future of water across West Texas.

The Xi Zeta Lambda sorority, a local service chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, has cemented its role as a key investor in the future of Fort Stockton, driven by its 30-year legacy of providing scholarships to local students and its commitment to community service. “I think all of us just feel so passionate about Fort Stockton, and I think all of us have servant hearts,” said long time sorority member Vivian Hickman, “We do it as an investment.

The Pecos County Commissioners Court met Monday, November 10, addressing a variety of agenda items including key appointments, significant infrastructure concerns, and commitment to a regional behavioral health initiative. The court acted on appointing two members to the Fort Stockton Public Library Board.

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The Fort Stockton ISD Board of Trustees moved through a consequential agenda Monday night, Nov. 10, approving a twoyear turnaround plan for the district’s virtual campuses, adjusting Fort Stockton High School’s 2025–26 calendar to lengthen STAAR preparation, setting a Thursday canvass of recent election returns, and—after closed session—clearing the path for a superintendent transition with an interim “emeritus” role to ensure continuity.

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Governor Greg Abbott named Kelly Rowe as chair of the Commission on Jail Standards. Additionally, the Governor appointed Joe Fauth and Richard Kirkpatrick for terms set to expire on January 31, 2031 and January 31, 2027, respectively, and reappointed Patricia M. Anthony and Monica McBride for terms set to expire on January 31, 2031. The Commission establishes standards for the care and treatment of county prisoners, construction, maintenance, and operation of county jails.

TxDOT is working with other state agencies to actively monitor illegal dumping across the state. The initiative that began in San Antonio is now expanding its scope into new territories, adding a new twist to the “Don’t Mess with Texas” attitude that has inspired Texans to keep our roads and highways clean.

Senator César J. Blanco announced today the appointment of Cassandra Urrutia as his new Chief of Staff. Urrutia has served in Senator Blanco’s office since January 2021, most recently as both District Director and Legislative Director.

Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) hosted a collaborative meeting between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the New World Screwworm Working Group, founded by Congressman Gonzales, which is comprised of federal and state lawmakers, various agricultural, livestock, and wild game associations, scientists, veterinary experts, and Texas farmers and ranchers. During the meeting, the USDA shared updates relating to the construction of a domestic facility in South Texas focused on sterile fly production, a critical element in eliminating screwworms, and discussed the agency’s New World Screwworm Response Playbook to respond to a domestic screwworm outbreak. A key pillar of the USDA’s screwworm response playbook is effectively managing coordination between federal, state, and local industry partners to monitor and manage screwworm outbreaks in livestock and wildlife. Partners within the New World Screwworm Working Group are committed to working with the USDA on these efforts.