WWe’ree’re not just yyourour bankbankers,ers, 1000 W Dickinson BlBlvdvd (432) 336-8541 wwe’ree’re yyourour partners. wwwwww.fnbfst.com.fnbfst.com NMLS #410651 Mobile BankinBankingg - Remote Deposit - Online BankinBankingg THE FORT STOCKTON PIONEER Serving Pecos County Since 1908 Home of Historic Fort Stockton www.fortstocktonpioneer.com Volume 113, No. 4 Thursday, January 28, 2021 $1.00 County Can Fort Stockton reclaim ‘Spring City’? maintains The Meadows Center for in Texas, Comanche Springs state. Significant groundwater flowing future. While there have Water and the Environment at was, for centuries, a true water pumping upstream caused Co- been a number of hydrogeolog- Texas State University and Tex- oasis and treasure. The springs, manche Springs to stop flowing ic studies on Comanche Springs low active as Water Trade released a new fed by the Edwards-Trinity reliably in the 1950s. over the past 70 years, none study that seeks to uncover a Aquifer, provided a water sup- Over the last decade, how- have fully assembled the his- case level significant question many have ply to native populations, early ever, the once-quiet springs tory of the flow system nor have been eager to answer: What settlers, and downstream irriga- have begun flowing again in they evaluated the policy and By NATHAN HEUER would it take to restore perpet- tors and supported a small but the late winter months, when economics behind bringing PIONEER EDITOR ual flow at Comanche Springs important desert ecosystem. the aquifer has rebounded from back year-round flow. There- in Fort Stockton? Yet, the springs were not im- summer irrigation pumping, COVID-19 active cas- Once the sixth largest spring mune to the effects of a growing bringing with it hope for a new, See RECLAIM page 3 es have been trending downward since the be- ginning of the new year and that total took an even sharper decline in the past week. The number of active COVID-19 cases dropped 100 YEARS OF SERVICE to 27 on Thursday, Jan. 22. That’s the lowest to- tal since Oct. 19, 2020 – a span of 94 days. Active case numbers in Pecos County main- tained in the 20’s since Thursday, marking five consecutive days under the 30 mark. If the county reaches seven consecutives days under 30 active cases, Pecos County Judge Joe Shuster said that he will likely apply for out of station through the gov- ernor’s office – meaning restaurants and indoor See LOW page 3 RAINFALL TOTALS 2021. 0.16” January. 0.16” BURN BAN OFF The Pecos County Water Improvement District #1 was recognized by a proclamation after 100 years of service at the Pecos County Commissioners Court meeting on Monday, Jan. 25 at the Pecos County Courthouse. In the early 1970s, the Pecos County Water Control and Improvement District #1 was formed to provide good, safe, and potable water to the members of the water district. Pictured: Front row, left to right: Paul Weatherby, Pecos County Judge Joe Shuster, Pecos County Water Control and Improvement District #1 President Dudley McKissack, Billy Gonzales. Back row: Mickey Jack Perry, Santiago Cantu, Jr., Tom Chapman, Robert Gonzales, INDEX 18 pages Rosalie Sullivan. Photo by Nathan Heuer Opinions................................P.4 Puzzle.....................................P.5 Business Hall of Fame.......P.6 Looking Back.......................P.7 Crossword.............................P.7 Former police lieutenant sworn in as municipal court judge Sports.................................P.8-9 Classifieds....................P.10-11 By NATHAN HEUER the City of Fort Stockton,” Fort her and she’s going to do an Adam Gonzales, Heather Livestock Show...........P.13-16 PIONEER EDITOR Stockton Mayor Chris Alexan- exceptional job,” Lujan said. “I Pass, and Vishal Chopra were der said before the swearing in. know that about her.” selected for the terms with the latter two getting unanimous PIB>PB OBJBJ?BO QL The City of Fort Stockton “You’ve been an awesome po- Perkins will replace Joe Mu- swore in Maribel Perkins as a lice officer.” noz, who was also a previous votes from all city council mem- THANK A VETERAN, A MEMBER OF THE Municipal Court Judge on Tues- Perkins left the police de- trooper for the Department of bers. ARMED FORCES day, Jan. 26 at the city’s regular partment as the Lieutenant of Public Safety. Gonzales is the only newly , the Criminal Investigation Divi- City council appoints three appointed member to have pre- OR A LAW ENFORCEMENT city council meeting. OFFICER EVERY DAY. Perkins brings a wealth of sion. new CVB board members viously served, doing so from experience to the position after Fort Stockton Police Chief To conclude the city council 2005-2011. serving as an officer for the Fort Robert Lujan, who was in atten- meeting, board members ap- The trio will replaced Stockton Police Department for dance, said she will be dearly pointed three new Fort Stock- Louann Tovar, Renee Gaylord, the last 15 years. missed but is excited to see her ton Convention & Visitors Bu- and Junior Sena. “This will be a new chap- get an opportunity as a judge. reau board members to fulfill ter to your storied career with “This will be a challenge for three-year terms. See JUDGE page 3 HOME OF THE 1ST PAYMENT FREE Down $0Payment $300-$1460 1303 W. Dickinson Blvd. Come vist your neighbor at your ONLY locally owned and operated Rent to own store (432) 336-5551 www.rent-buy.net 432-336-7800 Furniture • Appliances • Electronics • Computers 2 The Fort Stockton PioneerBusiness | Thursday, January 28, 2021 Spotlight An in-depth look at local businesses Antojitos Gomez opens new store location By Nathan Heuer returned after her pregnancy, PIONEER EDITOR they decided to get their own food truck – Los Gomez, which After years of hard work and started approximately three perseverance, Sergio Gomez years ago. and his wife Sonia Gomez are Up until for months ago, beginning to reap the rewards both the Los Gomez food truck of their labor. trailers were in the parking lot On Friday, Jan. 22, the cou- of Advanced Auto Parts. ple opened a new desert store Sonia and Sergio then pur- -- Antojitos Gomez -- at 609 E. chased the building at 609 E. Dickinson Blvd. in Fort Stock- Dickinson Blvd. to open their ton. The location also features new desert shop while keeping their longtime food truck, Los their food trucks in operation Gomez food truck, and an ad- outside. ditional trailer that serves wings Sergio ensured by stopping in the parking lot of the loca- his trucking job and commit- tion. ting fully to the business with The business is a family affair his wife, kids, and family. as Sonia’s daughters and Ser- The Longtime Las Cruces, gio’s stepdaughters, Janeth and New Mexico resident stated he Alexa Landeros, work with their works 20 hours a day on aver- parents, as well as their cousin age but enjoys the time with his Desiree Gomez. family while making a living. Dona Lopez, Alonzo Gaitan, Sergio and Sonia one day and Letty Gaitan also help with hope to own their own super- the business. market and pass their business The store opening comes down to their kids and genera- four years after Sergio and So- tion to generation. Antojitos Gomez held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, Jan. 22. Pictured from left to right: Dona Lopez, Desiree Gomez, nia began working in the food Sonia Gomez, Sergio Gomez, Janeth Landeros, Alexa Landeros, Alonzo Gaitan. Photo by Nathan Heuer Antojitos Gomez is open truck industry. from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. everyday Sergio, who worked for M & J said his wife took charge and He added that initially they General parking lot before tem- while the Los Gomez food truck Trucking for nearly seven years led their family into the indus- helped a woman with a white porarily taking it over due to a is open from approximately 11 after moving to Fort Stockton, try. food truck trailer in the Dollar leave of absence. Once the lady a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. APACHE ELEMENTARY HONOR ROLL 1ST GRADE Adalynn Hernandez MRS. PILLADO MS. CALDERON Camilla Hernandez A HONOR ROLL A HONOR ROLL Xamien Rivera Logan Hardee Alejandro Sanchez Layne Robertson Reyna Mendoza Khloe Rodriguez Melody Rios AB HONOR ROLL Abriana Segura Ethan Rivera Abigail Aleman Sophia Tijerina Mckenli Thompson Xochitl Garcia Dymeri Vaughn AB HONOR ROLL Lorenzo Jurado Angel Leyva Adalynn Amaro AB HONOR ROLL Andi Lopez Bralon Ramos Jaylene Espino John Rogers Precinct #1 Golf Course Maintenance Technician Jimmy Munoz was honored for over 24 years of Manuel Martinez Ashton Fuentez service by the precinct’s commissioner Tom Chapman, left, and TJ Arispe, golf course superintendent, Eduardo Quinones Elijah Rubio Genesis Garcia right, on Tuesday at the Pecos County Civic Center. Munoz will retire at the end of this month. Photo Jayden Salazar Naveen Ruiz by Nathan Heuer Ricardo Solis Ricardo Garcia Ava Marquez MS. LUJAN MS. RUVALCABA Davien Martinez A HONOR ROLL A HONOR ROLL Aubree Rojas Casen Terrazas Harper Ballard Kendall Surber Connor Shuttleworth Melanie Reyes Camila Villarreal Daniella Sanchez Benjamin Sanchez AB HONOR ROLL MS. SANCHEZ CongCongratulations!ratulations! Michael Phillips Kaiden Dezarn A HONOR ROLL Kyler Milam Cataleyah Kamila Montanez Adalynn Lopez Dominguez Issac Sparks Jan Harbour on your Emelia Kincaid Jayden Franco Malachi Hayes Lily Tijerina AB HONOR ROLL Scarlet Hamilton Miranda Hernandez 2ND GRADE Luke Freeman Joshua Hernandez Zaydon Calderon MS. MELENDEZ Adan Vasquez A HONOR ROLL AB HONOR ROLL Jose Luis Villalobos Brayden Garrison 64th Katie Allen 3RD GRADE Anjela Gardea AB HONOR ROLL Aracely Gonzalez MS. BRAY Charliee Dauzet AB HONOR ROLL ANNIVERSARANNIVERSARY!Y! Ximena Benavides Anthony Dominguez with Pecos County State Bank Nathaniel Rivera Ava Jones Davian Joshlin Kayson Salinas Valeria Lopez Kristopher Hernandez MS.