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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
April 26, 2001
Job/Career Fair attracts students, applicants
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, April 26, 2001 - Pecos High School junior and senior students
had an opportunity to learn more about careers and colleges at the Reeves
County Career/Job Fair and Trade Expo, held at the Pecos Technical Training
Center on Wednesday.
"We were very pleased with the number of people that did attend," said
Michelle Workman, director of the Pecos Technical Training Center. "We
had several agencies work together, to basically, put on a career fair
to provide guidance."
Workman said that about 187 seniors attended the Career Fair Wednesday
at the center. "As a community we took it upon ourselves to provide supplemental
guidance and the high school was very excited to include high school seniors
and juniors," she said.
Nancy Ontiveros, director of social services for Reeves County Hospital
termed the career/job fair a success.
"We had about 197 junior students, 187 seniors, with a total of 383
students from Pecos High School attend the job fair," said Ontiveros.
"The school was very pleased with the career tracks that we offered,"
she added.
Everyone decided that this was definitely something that needed to be
done again next year, according to Ontiveros.
"All the exhibitors were very pleased," said Ontiveros.
Hale Mills, the construction company that will build the Pecos Criminal
Justice Center in Pecos, was very pleased with the turnout. "They hired
one person on the spot," said Ontiveros, and added that they had 50 applicants.
"Several other employers took applications, even though they didn't
hire anybody on the spot," she said.
Workman explained that the PHS seniors had an opportunity to spend about
two hours there, and sat for four career presentations. "They also had
an opportunity to visit with UTPB, Midland College and about 14 representatives
from Odessa College were on hand," said Workman.
Several program area instructors took time off from their campuses to
come provide specific information. "They took time off from their busy
schedules to provide specific information on such careers as auto, diesel
and law enforcement," said Workman.
Workman said she discussed summer classes with the students and provided
information on classes and financial aid.
"It costs about $260 for two classes, which came as a surprise to some,
they thought it was high," said Workman. "But when we compared it to classes
at a university or bigger college, they realized it was a really low figure."
Workman said the students had learned a lot from other people. "They
tried to give them as much information as possible, in the amount of time
they had," she said.
"We encouraged all of them to take classes," said Workman.
Junior students were at the center after lunch, stayed for two hours
and had the opportunity to talk to college representatives. "We talked
to them about taking classes, yes, as juniors they can start taking college
classes," said Workman.
The representatives had talked to the students about taking classes
and the cost of each class. "Each class costs approximately $88, but they
can pay 10 percent down and get to pay the rest of it in payments, during
the semester, which is about 16 weeks," said Workman.
She added that the OC Center has several high school students who have
taken a number of college classes. "We have one who has taken 10 classes
already," she said.
Workman said it was real nice to bring all the students together and
teach them more about careers and college opportunities. "We had so much
fun knowing we were trying to help them on our behalf, because the school
district can only do so much and we want to help them as well," she said.
Guest speakers at the event included Dr. Donovan Thoams, who spoke on
behalf of the health profession, Jim Allen, Reeves County Game Warden and
Leo Arrieta with Texas Department of Public Safety who spoke on behalf
of law enforcement and Dick Alligood, who talked about business and retail.
"We were very pleased with the guest speakers. They were excellent,"
said Workman.
Workman said they also had Odessa College automotive and diesel course
instructors to talk about the profession on Wednesday.
"We had a good response," she said. "This is one of the programs we
are trying to incorporate here at the college. We haven't started yet,
until we make sure we have the numbers to start this program."
James McCutcheon talked to the group about computer science, computer
systems and computer network information technology. "A lot of students
want to major in computers, but they don't realize it's different programs,
different classes," she said.
Workman said that the representatives were on hand to help them distinguish
between the three different kinds of majors, so the students could decide
which one they wanted to pursue.
Workman said that Career Week will be celebrated at the center next
Wednesday through Friday, and would invite the younger students to the
facility.
"We'll kick it off on Wednesday, and invited the students from Crockett
Middle School to come and spend some time at the center," said Workman.
"We'll be inviting the students from fourth through eighth grade to
come to center and learn more about college and careers," said Workman.
The center will have the same thing on Thursday for fourth and fifth
graders from Bessie Haynes Elementary School. On Friday sixth graders from
Zavala Middle School will be invited.
Ontiveros said other local employers who participated in the Job Fair
were Anchor, Reeves County Detention Center, Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD, Texas
Department of Criminal Justice and the Pecos Police Department. They were
taking applications, along with the Texas Workforce Commission and Frank
Spencer Associates.
"Everyone was very pleased, they liked the opportunity to have several
employers in one location offering information on their businesses," said
Ontiveros.
Fair goers also had the opportunity to upgrade their skills with the
different colleges represented and the Texas Workforce Commission on hand.
"The Texas Tomorrow Fund was very pleased, they did sign up several
families and left many brochures and applications, if anybody is interested
in locking into college prices at todays prices," said Ontiveros.
The last day to register for the fund is May 25 and applications and
more information can be obtained at the Reeves County Hospital and Odessa
College.
The group will have a "rap-up meeting" today, Ontiveros said. "We'll
start planning for next year's event, so the community can see what career
and job opportunities exist in our area, as well as what career they might
venture," she said.
Council to discuss park grant, road renaming
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
PECOS, April 26, 2001 - The Town of Pecos City Council is scheduled
to hold a public hearing concerning the Texas Recreation & Parks account
small grants program during their regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. today at
City Hall.
All community members are welcome to come voice their opinion about
the city applying for the small grants program in order to renovate the
Pecos Miniature Golf Course at Maxey Park.
During the last meeting, City Manager Carlos Yerena informed the council
that the grant program is sponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
and is designed to help communities with their parks and recreational facilities.
"It's a program that they have for small cities," he said during that
meeting.
The program would require the city to match the amount of money they
give, which could be as much as $50,000.
Yerena presented the Council with a proposed budget on items that could
be purchased for the miniature golf course through the grant program and
the city match.
Included in the budget were such items as indoor/outdoor carpet, holes
and tee mats; playing surface obstacles; a waterfall; animal props; benches,
umbrellas and seats; and landscaping materials and lighting.
"The budget may change a little bit," Yerena said.
He said that the city could provide the labor and equipment needed for
the project which would count as contributions to the city funded match.
In other action, the council is also going to take consideration in
renaming the north Interstate 20 Frontage Road from Pinehurst Street to
Raul Florez Boulevard.
The Council will consider renaming the street after Florez who was Reeves
County Sheriff from 1977 through 1992. Florez died in January of 1995.
A petition has been circulating around town in support of renaming the
street for Florez.
The council will also discuss a request from the Pecos Youth Advisory
Commission for a trip to New Braunfels.
City Secretary Geneva Martinez said that the group has been working
hard this year working on numerous projects and fund-raisers throughout
the year.
She said that the group has been completing two projects each months.
Some of the youth in the advisory commission will give a presentation
to the council on what they have done this year.
In other business the council will consider the second reading of the
amended ordinance for the City of Pecos International Plumbing Code.
The council is also scheduled to discuss purchase or exchange of real
property for the South Worsham Well Field.
Early voting going slowly for May 5 local elections
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
PECOS, April 26, 2001 - Early voting for the May 5 Town of Pecos City
Council, Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD board and Reeves County Hospital District
board elections is well below last year's numbers at the midpoint of the
early voting period.
The sixth day of early voting for city, school and hospital elections
brought the total number of votes to 408 voters at Pecos Community Center,
which is just over half as many voters who had cast ballots early this
time last year.
Early voting clerk Debbie Thomas said that it is hard to tell year-by-year
how many voters will show up at the polls for early voting.
"Last year we had 815 at the same time," she said. "You can't ever tell."
Thomas said that they have also mailed out 120 ballots and will still
accept mail out ballot applications until 5 p.m., Friday.
All voters receiving mail out ballots must mail them back in order for
them to be in Pecos by May 5, Election Day.
Thomas said that the last day of early voting will be next Tuesday,
May 1, and the polls will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., through that day.
Early voting began on April 18 and all early voters are required to
go to the Pecos Community Center location to vote.
She also said that the voters need to bring their voter's registration
card in order to vote but if they don't have their registration card with
them they would need another form of identification.
The general election is set to begin on Saturday, May 5 from 7 a.m.
until 7 p.m. This year's local election includes five candidates seeking
the three available city council seats, seven candidates seeking three
full terms on the P-B-T school board and three others seeking an unexpired
one-year term, and two candidates vying for the Precinct 2 seat on the
Reeves County Hospital District board.
Early voting is also going on in Balmorhea through May 1 for city and
school elections there.
Polling sites will be located at the Pecos Community Center, Barstow
Community Center, Red Bluff Lake Office in Orla, Toyah City Hall and the
Saragosa Multipurpose Center and the Balmorhea Fire Hall for the May 5
elections.
Carson & Barnes Circus arriving for performances at Civic Center
PECOS, April 26, 2001 - The circus is coming! The circus is coming! The
"Biggest Big Top on Earth" will appear at the Reeves County Civic Center
on Friday, for two showings.
Carson & Barnes five-ring Circus _ the largest show to visit here
in over 60 years, will set up their tent on the south parking lot of the
Civic Center and will present shows at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Carson & Barnes is known nation wide at the largest `big top' in
America with a total of five rings were different acts perform simultaneously.
Having a long held reputation for outstanding animal acts this traditional
circus will feature many animals including Nubian lions and Siberian tigers,
camels, llamas, ponies, African and Asian elephants, and beautiful liberty
horses all under the direction of some of America's finest trainers.
Carson & Barnes is the only `big top' in the United States that
will present the Liberty Horse Act composed entirely of Friesian Stallions.
The stallions are a rare breed of horses marked by broad bodies and
long flowing manes and tails.
They were very common in the Netherlands prior to World War II.
During the war, Hitler's troops destroyed nearly all the horses because
they feared the resistance could use them.
The few horses who survived the war and their descendants are only now
making a slow comeback.
The 2000 show is entitled "Viva Espana" and will also feature the world's
largest indoor circus parade around the hippodrome track.
Visitors will also have a chance to visit the Circus Menagerie prior
to the performances.
The Menagerie is a huge zoo that displays an amazing collection of 100
exotic and domestic animals including a pygmy hippo, a zebu, a zeony and
a zee-donk.
The Pecos Eagle Band Boosters is sponsoring the Carson & Barnes
Circus. Tickets for children are $5 in advance and $6 at the door and for
adults they are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
Advance tickets may be purchased at the Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce
located behind the West of the Pecos Museum on Cedar Street.
Presidio plans Onion Festival for May 18-20
PECOS, April 26, 2001 - The annual Presidio Onion Festival has been scheduled
for May 18-20, with most of the events to be held on Saturday, May 19.
A dance will take place from 8 p.m. to midnight on May 18, and a two-person
golf scramble and a girls basketball tournament will be on May 20.
Events on May 19 include an 11 a.m. onion bake-off at the Presidio Lions
Club, a 12 noon barbeque at the Presidio County Sheriff's Department office,
and a 7 p.m. parade followed by another dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Other
events include a drag car race on FM 170 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., a horse
race at the Presidio Race Track at 12 noon, and a performance by folklorico
dancers from Mexico at 12:30 p.m.
For further information, contact the Presidio Chamber of Commerce at
915-229-3199 or 915-229-3441.
Weather
PECOS, April 26, 2001 - High Wednesday 83. Low this morning 49. Forecast
for tonight: Partly cloudy. Low near 50. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Friday:
Partly cloudy. High 85 to 90. Southeast wind 10 to 20 mph. Friday night:
Partly cloudy. Low in the lower 50s.Saturday through Wednesday: Partly
cloudy. Lows in the lower to mid 50s. Highs from the mid 80s to lower 90s.
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
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