Colored Rock Map of Texas at I-20 in Pecos, Click for Travel Guide

Pecos Enterprise

Home
Enterprise

ARCHIVE
Pecos Country History
Archive 62
Archive 74
Archive 87
1987 Tornado Photos
Rodeo Photos 88
Archive 95
Archive 96
Archive 97
News Photos 1997
Rodeo Photos 97
Archive 98
News Photos 1998
Rodeo Photos 98
Parade Photos 98
Archive 99
Photos 99
Archive 2000
Photos 2000


Area Newspapers
Commerce
Classified


|

Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas

Top Stories

Thursday, August 17, 2000

Galindo says county to profit from inmate bus

By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer

PECOS, August 17, 2000 - An state-of-the-art bus made a stop in Pecos this morning and is expected to be making more in the future while playing a major role in the operations of the Reeves County Detention Center.

Reeves County Detention Center Warden Rudy Franco attended the America Correctional Association Conference and came upon the state of the art inmate transportation bus.

"This was a demo bus they had at the American Correctional Conference," said Franco, and the county is now planning to purchase the state-of-the art bus to use at the RCDC to transport Bureau of Prison inmates and generate revenue for the county.

"This is state-of-the art, as far as correctional buses are concerned," said Franco. "I felt this would be a good opportunity for us to purchase it and have for us to use."

Currently, the RCDC does almost $500,000 a year in transportation for the BOP, according to Reeves County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo.

"With the amount of BOP inmate transportation and the 10-year history that Reeves County has with the BOP, this will upgrade the quality of service for the BOP," said Galindo.

The MCI Inmate Transportation bus can accommodate about 50 inmates and has the ability to rearrange its seating to be able to transport different inmates at the same time. "This bus has the ability to change to accommodate females and separate them from the males," said Franco. "Of course, we don't transport females, but it has those possibilities," he said.

The windows on the bus are tested 1,500 PSI (pounds per square inch). "The glass itself is indestructible and it has the bars along the sides as well," said Franco.

Total cost for the new acquisition was set at about $330,000, but is expected to generate more than that it revenue.

"There are some details that still need to be worked out," said Galindo.

"We were making from $400,000-$500,000 per year and this year we have billed $700,000 for transportation," said Galindo. "The BOP has a great need for these services."

Galindo stated that the county expects to generate from $500,000-$700,000 in revenue.

"We intend to pay for this bus in cash and have it on hand, within the next month and a half," said Galindo.

"We were paying about $150,000 in transportation services and if we have our own bus, we can generate revenue from it," he said.

Galindo said this is one way to generate revenue to possibly provide raises for county employees, which is something the group has been discussing at length. "We've been talking about possible raises for our county employees, and this is one way to generate the revenue without having the raise taxes," he said.

"The purchase of this bus and our performance with BOP will give us the revenue for raises for our county employees," said Galindo.

"This means we have to have the highest caliber of service and maintain that into the future," said Galindo. "There's no room for lapses, because the county depends on it."

"I think this is a great opportunity not only for the RCDC, but for the county as a whole," said Franco. "We'll have our own transportation and can provide BOP with those services at any time."

Franco said transportation is a vital part of the inmate services provided for BOP and this will only help to maintain the great relationship between them.

The Bureau of Prisons currently has 140,000 inmates and 25 percent of those qualify for housing at the RCDC, according to Galindo, which is nearing completion of its 1,000-bed addition.

New inmates will be transported into the facility, which will double in capacity to 2,000 beds by the end of this year. The first inmates are scheduled to be transported to Pecos for detention in the new facility by Sept. 6.

"We still have to go through two inspections," said Franco.

Franco stated that everyone is looking forward to the opening of the new addition and the completion date is still set for next month.

Workforce up, jobless rate hits 26-month low

By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer

PECOS, August 17, 2000 - Unemployment in Reeves County dropped by over 1½ percent in July, reaching a two-year low despite an increase in the local workforce to its highest level in the past year.

With the labor force at its seasonal high due to the onion and cantaloupe harvests during July, the number of people in the county's workforce grew to 8,104 last month, according to figures released today by the Texas Workforce Commission, up from 7,999 in June. But the number of jobs within Reeves County increased by more than 200, from 7,108 to 7,336, which allowed the unemployment rate to fall from 11.1 to 9.5 percent.

That's the lowest the jobless rate has been in the county the past 26 months, since unemployment stood at 8.5 percent in May of 1998. The recovery of the oil industry, which bottomed out in early 1999, has helped lower the area's unemployment rate, though Reeves County's figure remains 3 ½ percent above the average for the Permian Basin as a whole.

Reeves County's unemployment rate stood at 13 percent last July, after soaring to almost 15 percent earlier in the year.

Reeves was one of several counties in the basin to show a drop in unemployment for July despite an increase in its local labor force. Unemployment in the area was up overall in June due to the addition of high school and college students to the summer workforce, after dropping to 9.7 percent in April.

Town of Pecos City's unemployment numbers remained in double digits last month, at 10.8 percent, but that was almost two percent below the 12.7 rate posted by the TWC in June.

The city had 6,348 people in its July labor force, up 68 from June, while the number of jobs in Pecos rose from 5,484 to 5,660 during the same period. The 10.8 percent rate is the lowest so far this year for Pecos, and the first time the city's jobless levels have dropped below 11 percent in two years.

Across the area, most counties saw their unemployment figures drop by about one percent last month. Midland County's rate fell from 5.8 to 5 percent, while Odessa dropped from 8.1 to 6.9 percent, according to the TWC's figures. Both Ward and Pecos counties saw unemployment for July fall by nine-tenths of a percent, though a decrease in the local labor force was partially responsible for the decline in both places.

To the south, Presidio County continued to have the area's highest unemployment rate, at 26.6 percent, while neighboring Brewster County had the lowest rate for counties with over 4,000 in the workforce, at 2.4 percent. Presidio County's total was down 1.1 percent from June, while Brewster County's rate was three-tenths of a percent lower last month.

Harvestfest this weekend in Stockton

By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer

PECOS, August 17, 2000 - The sixth annual Harvestfest is this weekend in Fort Stockton at Rooney Park on Sanderson Highway (U.S. 285 south).

This is the fourth year Harvestfest has been held in Fort Stockton, after being staged as Shrimpfest at the Imperial Reservoir in 1995-96. It is designed to promote agriculture, aquaculture and the fine Wines of Pecos County. The annual event will have lots of food, arts and crafts and entertainment for the entire family.

The festivities kick off Friday with the ever-popular Vintage Dinner in the large community hall. The dinner allows wine enthusiasts to sample wines and premium beers with a meal of steak and shrimp. There will also be a silent auction with gifts donated by the participants and wineries. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased before hand.

Saturday's festivities will kick off with the Fun Run 5-K fitness walk at 7:30 a.m., and the 5-K race beginning at 7:45 a.m. Immediately following the race a one-mile children's run will start. Pre registration for the children's run is $6 and goes up to $8 on the day of the race. All other pre-registration is $12 or $15 the day of the race.

The Inaugural Softball Tournament begins at 9 a.m., on Saturday. The entry fee for this double elimination tourney is $110 per team. T-Shirts and team trophies will be awarded to the first through third place finishers as will as MVP and Co-MVP awards.

The arts and crafts booths will open at 10 a.m. and stay open until 7 p.m. The Old West Saloon, located at the island in front of the large community center will be open with drinks from 10 a.m.-1 a.m.

The Wine Emporium in the large community center will also be open from 12 noon-7 p.m. A variety of beer and wines from 10 Texas Wineries will be available for tasting with a nominal fee and identification.

A car show will begin at 2 p.m. with registration starting at 8 a.m. The registration fee is $20 the day of the event. Judging will start at 5 p.m. and a special award for the People's Choice will be given.

Throughout the day activities will be going on at the stage. They include Martha Sanchez and her "folklorio" Dancers, the Krazy Sensation Break-Dancers and a "Brittany Spears" look alike contest.

The Concert Dance will begin at 7 p.m. with performances by Trick Rider and the Tejano band, Romaldo Y Estilo.

For more information about Harvestfest call (915) 336-2541.

Caverns to offer free admission on anniversary

PECOS, August 17, 2000 - Operating hours will change on Monday at Carlsbad Caverns, while admission to the park and caverns will be free next Friday, Aug. 25.

Visitor's Center hours will be from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (CDT) daily starting Monday, while the self-guided natural entrance route will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the self-guided Big Room tour will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ranger-guided King's Palace tours will be daily at 10 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., while evening bat flight programs will continue at the Natural Entrance Ampetheater through October or until the bats migrate to Mexico.

Fees at Carlsbad Caverns, and all other National Parks, will be waived on Aug. 25 to mark the 84th anniversary of the National Parks Service. Area parks included in the free admission day along with Carlsbad Caverns are Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Big Bend National Park and the Fort Davis National Historic Site.

Police Report

EDITOR'S NOTE: Information contained in the Police Report is obtained from reports filed by the Pecos Police Department, Reeves County Sheriff's Office, or other officers of those agencies. The serving of warrants by an officer for outstanding fines of either traffic citations, animal control violations or other court costs are considered arrests and will be printed as such unless indicated that the fines were paid. In such instanced we will indication payment and release.
Jose Cueller, 33, was arrested at 12:55 p.m., on August 3 at mile marker 217 on I-10 for DPS warrants.

Martin Vasquez, 17, was arrested at 12:53 a.m., on August 7 at Park Street and Veterans Boulevard for unauthorized carrying of a weapon.

Luis Ray Garcia, 26, was arrested at 3:39 a.m., on August 7 at Highway 17 and Lindsey Road for driving while intoxicated-Class B.

Rosa Sanchez Hernandez, 36, was arrested at 1:59 a.m., on August 6 at the Offecina Club for public intoxication.

A female juvenile was arrested at 2:42 a.m., on August 6 in the 1000 block of East Ninth Street for curfew violation and theft under $50.

Catarino Burrola Orona, 17, was arrested at 4:22 a.m., on August 6 in the 900 block of Hickory Street for no driver's license and no insurance.

Dorthy McGrew, 72, was arrested at 6:27 p.m., on August 5 in the 1200 block of Pecan Street for public intoxication.

Ignacio Vega Suarez, 58, was arrested at 7:50 p.m., on August 5 behind La Tienda for public intoxication.

Patrick Villanueva, 21, and Ruben Campos, Jr., 20, were arrested at 6:05 a.m., on August 5 in the 400 block of North Hickory Street both for public intoxication.

A male juvenile was arrested at 12:16 a.m., on August 5 at the Circle M Bar for curfew violation-fourth offense.

A male juvenile was arrested at 2:17 a.m., on August 5 at Third and Walnut Streets for probation violation.

Javier Hernandez, 23, was arrested at 2:17 a.m., on August 5 at Third and Walnut Streets for public intoxication.

Rosalba Valenzuela, 33, Lee Roy Muniz Baeza, 17, and Jose Dolor Valenzuela, 32, were arrested at 3:03 a.m., on August 5 at Flying J. Rosalba Valenzuela was arrested for interfering-Class B. Baeza and Jose Dolor Valenzuela were both arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

Christopher Marchan, 17, was arrested at 6:12 p.m., on August 5 in the 700 block of Alberta Street for failure to identify to a peace officer.

Jacob Montoya Carrasco, 23, was arrested at 10:12 p.m., on August 7 in the 1000 block of East 10th Street on an Ector County Sheriff's Office warrants for theft by check.

Ignacio Vega Suarez, 58, was arrested at 4:24 p.m., on August 8 at Second and Sycamore Streets for public intoxication.

Ciro Mata Jr., 17, and Orlando Munoz, 18, were arrested at 11:02 p.m., on August 10 in the 1000 block of Normandy Street. Mata was arrested for driving under the influence (minor) and minor in possession of alcohol and Munoz was arrested for minor in possession-second offense.

James M. Smith, 23, was arrested at 6:01 p.m., on August 10 at the Town and Country Convenience Store on Palmer Street on DPS warrants for no driver's license, expired motor vehicle certificate and failure to appear.

James L. Bacon, 65, was arrested at 4:27 p.m., on August 13 at Flying J for theft under $50.

Abel Sanchez, 30, was arrested at 6:31 p.m., on August 13 in the 400 block of Magnolia Street for criminal trespass.

Sergio Pina Rodriguez, 36, was arrested at 7:35 a.m., on August 13 in the 700 block of Maple Street for assault under the Family Violence Act _ Class C.

Claude McKinley Moody, 55, was arrested at 12:06 a.m., on August 13 in the 1700 block of Washington Street for disorderly conduct and discharging a firearm - Class B.

Michael Baron Baeza, 36, was arrested at 2:39 a.m., on August 13, on Highway 17 for driving while intoxicated _ Class B.

Christopher Fuentez, 18, Rosalio Sauceda Carmona, 17, Robert Griffin, 17, and Albert Contreras, 17, were arrested at 4:06 a.m., on August 13, on North Elm Street all for evading (class B) and public intoxication (class C).

Jesus Rodriguez, 51, was arrested at 9:22 p.m., on August 12 in the 800 block of East Second Street for public intoxication.

Pedro V. Barragan, 42, was arrested at 3:08 a.m., on August 12 in the 1100 block of East Third Street for public intoxication.

Johnny Valencia, 38, was arrested at 10:38 a.m., on August 11 in the 200 block of North Oak Street on a Sheriff's Office warrant for motion to revoke, delivery of a controlled substance.

Jacob Rodriguez, 20, was arrested at 4:05 p.m., on August 15 in the 400 block of Magnolia Street on a Sheriff's Office warrant for probation violation and a Ward County warrant for simple assault.

Jeremy Renteria, 20, was arrested at 6:31 p.m., on August 16 in the 1500 block of Cedar Street on a warrant for attempting to pass a forged check-State Felony/evading arrest.

Obituaries

Eulalia Maldonado

Eulalia "Lala" Fuentes Maldonado, 71, of Pecos, died Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2000.

A rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 18, at Martinez Funeral Home Chapel.

Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 19, at Santa Rosa Catholic Church with burial in Greenwood Cemetery.

She was born Feb. 12, 1929, in Toyahvale and was a Catholic.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Severa Saenz and one brother, Hipolito Fuentes.

Survivors include four brothers, Rosendo Fuentes of Carlsbad, N.M., Pedro Fuentes, Jr., Santiago Fuentes and Abundio Fuentes of Odessa; two sisters, Rosa Ramirez of Odessa and Maria Chavez of Hobbs, N.M.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Martinez Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Arcadia G. Urquidi

Arcadia G. Urquidi, 88, of Pecos, died Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2000, at the Pecos Nursing Home.

A rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m., today, at the Pecos Funeral Home Chapel.

Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 18, at the Santa Rosa Catholic Church with burial in Santa Rosa Cemetery.

She was born Jan. 12, 1912, in Balmorhea, was a homemaker, lifelong Pecos resident and a Catholic.

Survivors include one son, Antonio "Tony" Urquidi of Mount Ida, Ark.; two daughters, Anita Urquidi Vasquez of Bedford and Lydia Urquidi Garcia of Las Cruces, N.M.; one brother, Ricardo "Callo" Gutierrez of Pecos; one sister, Goya Morales of Pecos; 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Weather

PECOS, August 17, 2000 - High Wednesday 87. Low this morning 69. Forecast for tonight: Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms. Low 65-70. Southeast wind 5-15 mph. Friday: Partly cloudy. High around 95. Southeast wind 5-15 mph. Friday night: Partly cloudy. Low 65-70. Saturday: Partly cloudy. Low 65-70. High in the 90s.



Search Entire Site:


Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.

324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net

Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.

Copyright 2000 by Pecos Enterprise