News

For generations, Comanche Springs has served as more than just a swimming hole; it is the fundamental reason for the existence of Fort Stockton. On Monday, the Pecos County Historical Commission presented the 250th Flag to Angela Lujan and her partners.

On Monday of this week, the Lilah Smith Safe House was presented with a prestigious '250th' Anniversary Flag to honor its enduring commitment to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Barbara Kipgen, representing the Pecos County Historical Commission, presented the flag to the organization as a tribute to its vital role in the community.

Former students and faculty of Balmorhea High School (BHS) are preparing to walk down memory lane this September during the Balmorhea All School Reunion. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 5, 2026, as part of the broader Balmorhea Labor Day festivities.

On Sunday, July 5 the Fort Stockton Film Society will host a special “matinee” screening of 1776 at 2:00 p.m. at the Nelson Street Theater.

Local FFA members representing the Buena Vista, Fort Stockton, and Iraan FFA chapters attended the Area II Leadership Conference at Howard College in Big Spring June 16-18, 2026. Buena Vista FFA members Cody Schoenfeldt and Eli Schoenfeldt, Fort Stockton FFA members Brenna Downing, Meagan Hanson, Karen Villanueva and Karla Villanueva, and Iraan FFA members Canna Cravens, Juan Martinez, and Khloe Noelke represented their school chapters, as well as the Big Bend District, at “ALC”, an annual leadership development program for FFA leaders.

This week we celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation. Last year, at this time I wrote about how two former presidents and signers of the Declaration of Independence died on the 50th anniversary of our birthday. After reflecting on the significance of 250 years, I decided I needed to reread this document. I admit, I graduated high school almost 70 years ago. I quickly recognized the opening sentences in the first two paragraphs. Looking at a copy of the document, I was humbled by my lack of a more detailed memory, I then began to notice certain words were capitalized, example; united States, Life, Liberty, and

“When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the seperate and equal stations to which the laws of Nature and Nature’s God entitle them. . . . .

Happiness. I began to think these words were written this way for emphasis like SHOUTING when we text today. I urge you to go to the following website and read this for yourself. www. ushistory. org/declaration/document/ index. Or your can go to government and search documents to find it.

Fort Stockton Pioneer.

Dear Neil: I planted my first vitex last fall. It bloomed this spring, but I didn’t realize what a short bloom time it has. Can it be cut back to encourage a second bloom for the fall? If so, when and how? I am in Houston.