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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
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Monday, September 11, 2000

County seeks easier cash access for RCDC staff

By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer

PECOS, September 11, 2000 - Access to cash for employees at the Reeves County Detention Center may get a little bit easier, following a decision made at this morning's regular meeting of the Reeves County Commissioners Court.

"Several weeks ago I had approached Gilbert Abila and the new owners of Security State Bank about a plan of installing an ATM machine at the administration building at the Reeves County Detention Center," said Reeves County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo.

Galindo stated that if approved the ATM machine would actually be placed in the wellness facility and employees would have access to the machine 24 hours a day. "And the bank will pay for the (security) cameras to be placed out there," said Galindo.

The RCDC is expected to employ over 350 people by the time its current 1,000-bed addition is completed, doubling the size of the facility. Both local banks are four miles from the detention center, and the nearest ATM machine currently is two miles away.

Abila, a vice-president with Security State Bank, was on hand to talk about the plans for the ATM machine and assured commissioners that the bank would incur all the expenses for the cameras and the phone lines.

Abila said another thing they have been discussing is direct deposit for all county employees. However, Reeves County auditor Lynn Owens stated that their software was not compatible with the software used by the bank and questioned whether or not the ATM machine could be placed in the detention center.

"Technically, they can't put a business on county property," said Owens, about the ATM machine.

"Wouldn't this be something like the phone service at the facility?" said Galindo.

Owens stated that phone service at the prison was required by the Texas Jail Commission, while the ATM machine was not. "This is for the employees and not the inmates, like the phone service is," he said.

"Security State Bank would be attracting customers by having their machine out there, so they would be making business and they really shouldn't conduct business on county property," said Owens.

"Well, we are leading to direct deposit eventually," said Abila. "But they can also do the direct deposit with other banks as well.

"It's really very simple," said Abila, who explained that the bank would provide a disk to the county and download all the information on the disk for the direct deposit plan.

Galindo stated that the simplest way to solve the problem of having the ATM machine out there was to bid it out or take requests for proposals.

"The machine would be installed at the administration building, so it would be outside the perimeter," said Abila.

Galindo stated that the county could advertise for proposals and award it at the first meeting in October.

Security State Bank has operated its own ATM at the bank's downtown location for the past five years. The city's other bank, West Texas National Bank, is in the process of installing its first ATM in the drive-through area.

"About the direct deposit, I think a move towards a paperless payroll will be beneficial to the county," said Galindo. The direct deposit option would be open to RCDC employees with accounts at any bank, commissioners were told.

Abila told the court that they had implemented direct deposit at Anchor West and that it was working out really well. "They're really pleased with it, because it works well for all the shift employees," said Abila. "They actually have access to their money on Thursday night," he said.

Commissioners approved authorizing the advertisement for proposals for an ATM machine to be placed at the administrative building at the RCDC.

In other action this morning, commissioners approved a resolution in support of Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIPS.

"This is a program that implemented by the state recently, in order to make sure that all children in Texas have access to health insurance," said Galindo.

He said he thought this was a very important program for the county and that there are a number of children that have the insurance.

"The premiums are very affordable and we want to adopt a resolution to make Reeves County residents aware of this insurance," he said.

Galindo urged commissioners to go back to their precincts and let everyone know about this insurance. "If they need any help or want to get the insurance came to my office and we'll help them apply for it," he said.

Outreach specialist for Region 9, Jan Mann, told the court a little about the insurance and the benefits it provided. "It covers immunizations, eye exams, glasses, medical supplies and dental care, to name a few," she said.

Mann said the response in Reeves County has been phenomenal. "One of the things that the resolution does is make people aware of this program," she said.

Commissioners approved awarding the track bid, for a walking/jogging track at the Reeves County Detention Center to the only bidder, Wilkins International of San Antonio in the amount of $44,634.

The lockshop supplies bid went to the only bidder, Gibson's True Value, of Pecos, for hand tools and general hardware items.

Transportation van bids wen to a local dealership, Colt Chevrolet, who was the lowest bidder.

The purchase of a space saver was approved for the Reeves County Clerk's office, with the stipulation that the clerk get at least 2-3 quotes from different providers.

Dan's workers come close to top Lotto prize

By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer

PECOS, September 11, 2000 - Five employees at Dan's Music and Video were one number away from sharing the Texas Lottery's $60 million Lotto jackpot prize Saturday night, but still took away over $2,800 as a runner-up award.

AnaBell Madril, Adela George, Lety Lujan, Fernando Rodriguez and Dan's owner Ronny Daniel are the owners of a lottery ticket with five of the six numbers from Saturday's drawing.

Daniel said he and his employees got together and bought the ticket from the machine at his store, at T Third and Cedar streets, using the Quick Pick option.

"We were one number away from retiring," he said.

Although the group didn't win the $60 million jackpot they joined the holders of 237 other tickets in sharing the second place prize of $2,866 apiece.

A Richardson couple won the $60 million jackpot, which is the third-highest lottery prize in the state's lottery.

Madril said they decided to pool together after seeing other businesses in town come in and buy tickets.

"We just did it at the last minute," she said.

Madril said they had not realized they won until Sunday morning when she and Daniel checked a photocopy of the ticket.

"At first we thought we only had four numbers," she said.

Madril said after finding the fifth number they called George who had the actual ticket.

"Adela brought the ticket and we ran it through the machine," she said.

After confirming that they had a winning ticket they called Lujan and Rodriguez who did not believe they had won.

"They still didn't believe it, so they both came down to check for themselves," Madril said.

The winning numbers Saturday were 1, 16, 36, 43, 44 and 52. The ticket bought by the group had ever number except for 36.

Daniel said they never worried about the one number they got wrong.

"We were happy for what we got," he said. "It just makes you think how close you could come."

Daniel said they would split the money so not just one person would have to pay taxes.

"Everybody has a different plan with the money," he said.

Daniel plans to save the money for a vacation.

Madril said she also wants to save the money for a vacation or even to go on a shopping spree with her daughter.

Rodriguez said he will save the money for college and Lujan said she would put the money in the bank while George said she would also save it for vacation.

She said the other employees at Dan's were disappointed that they did not get to pitch in.

"Now they all want to pitch in and do it every week," Madril said.

George went to the regional lottery claims office in Odessa today to pick up the prize money this morning.

"I was paranoid the whole way back," George said. "I didn't even go home, I came straight here."

After splitting the money, each winner received $576.

More that $15 million in $1 lottery tickets were sold on Saturday alone, the Texas Lottery Commission said.

By Saturday night, lottery officials said, more that 37,000 tickets a minute were being sold.

Fleming's business focusing on computers

PECOS, September 11, 2000 - Having computer problems or just want to get hooked to the Internet?

One local office is offering help with both.

Computer Solutions, 1233 S. Eddy St., opened its doors to customers about three months ago and is ready to help with computer problems and answer questions.

"We do upgrades, parts, services and internet connections," said owner Danny Fleming.

Fleming said at this time the new small company is also selling used and refurbished computers.

Fleming took a home-study course on computers and has been working with them for about six years.

"I will give them a limited amount of tutoring at the time of set up," said Fleming.

Fleming also offers "tutoring" on the computers after hours for $20 an hour. "I already have a few people who I am teaching, mostly on how to get on the Internet," he said.

Fleming stated that he has a lot of people who buy computers and then their children want them to e-mail them and they don't know how. "I have a lot of those and then they start doing all these things themselves, once they get the hang of it," he said.

"After I teach them a few things they'll be doing the stock market, trading and shopping," said Fleming.

Fleming stated that it's amazing how fast Pecos is picking up on technology.

"We also do business with private companies," he said. "Most of the time I do on-site for businesses and other customers I like for them to bring in their computers, because there's a limited amount of time I can be out."

Computer Solutions is open 9 a.m. until noon and from 1-5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. They can also be reached at 447-4473.

"I go on specific calls before I come in, so I don't get here until 9," said Fleming.

"I hope to get over this hump, so that I can hire go out more and they can do sales and answer the phone," he said.

Fleming offers Internet services through Quik Internet of Midland/Odessa.
"I'm the Pecos agent for them," he said.

Internet trouble calls can also be taken care of through Computer Solutions. "I go out and see the customers that are referred to me by Quik," said Fleming.

Fleming stated that the ideal part about Quik, is that they have a 447 dial-up number. "That allows us to go west and south, the ones with Monahans numbers, they can't go to Saragosa and Balmorhea and the with the 447 number this allows us to reach those customers."

Computer Solutions is stocking all brands of computers. "We hope to grow some more," said Fleming.

Fleming stated that he can also custom configure computers to fit the customers needs. "There are some customers that have specific needs and have suppliers that can custom-fit these computers," he said. "Then there are customers that just want to play on the Internet," he said.

"But I can call the supplier and build exactly what they need," said Fleming.

Fleming also works on older model computers. "I discourage customers with really old computers to refurbish them or add to them," said Fleming. "I offer advice on their computer needs," he said.

Fleming is also available to answer computer questions and offer advice.

PHS, Crockett open houses set today, Tuesday

PECOS, September 11, 2000 - Pecos High School will host Open House at 7 p.m., this evening while junior high students and parents will have their Open House on Tuesday.

Crockett Middle School will have Open House on Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m. for all seventh graders, while all eighth graders and their parents are invited to the Crockett open House for their class at 7 p.m.

Grandparents Day is also being honored on Tuesday. Grandparents are invited to go eat lunch with their grandchildren at their respective elementary, junior high and high school campuses. Breakfast will also be available at all the campuses for $1.50.

Obituary

Daniel Renteria

Services are incomplete for Daniel Renteria, 70, of Pecos, who died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000, at Midland Memorial Hospital.

Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Weather

PECOS, September 11, 2000 - High Sunday 106. Low this morning 76. Forecast for tonight: Partly cloudy. Low 60-65. Light wind. Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High near 95. Northeast wind 10-20 mph. Tuesday night: Mostly clear. Low near 60. Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Low in the lower 60s. High 90-95.



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Pecos Enterprise
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