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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Monday, July 30, 2001
City seeks concrete solution to pool problem
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
PECOS, Monday, July 30, 2001 -- The Town of Pecos City's Athletic Pool has
only three weeks remaining before it is scheduled to be closed permanently,
due to new state regulations. But city officials have been looking
into many options that would help keep pool at Maxey Park open next
year.
Because Texas now has new regulations on maintaining swimming pools, the
city has been looking at what needs to be upgraded at the pool in order to
keep it open.
City Health Director Armando Gil said that he recently had a pool lining
company look at the Athletic Pool to see how much it would cost to bring
the facility up to date.
"We contacted this company out of Odessa, Triple H Pools," he said. "They
sent a representative to do a study on our pool."
Once the representative looked over the pool, Gil said that they informed
him that most of the pool is in compliance with the new regulations.
"Everything was in compliance with the exception of the tub itself," he
said.
Gil said that the representative informed him that the pool liner would
have to be replaced and a larger drain with a safer covering on the drain
would be needed.
Owner of Triple H Pools K.C. Hamdan, a former Pecos resident, said that
the pool lining is very important.
Right now the city pool has a concrete tub, which is unsanitary compared
to the vinyl lining that Hamdan works with, according to Hamdan.
He said that over the years the city has used lots of chemicals in the
pool, which has wore down the walls, which because of that it "holds lots
of impurities and maybe germs."
Hamdan said that with a concrete pool there are many things that have
to be done to maintain good, healthy water.
"The pool water should be like drinking water and nothing more," he said.
Hamdan said that vinyl lined pools use about 20 percent of the amount
of chemicals that cement pools use.
"It doesn't use hardly any chemicals compared to cement," he said.
Plus he said that during the winter months the city has to drain the pool
for liability reasons, which has caused the concrete pool floor to crack
during the cold weather.
He said that cement tubs do crack when drained and cause more problems
the next year.
Hamdan said that vinyl liners would allow the city to drain the pool without
any threat of damage.
He said that vinyl liners are extremely tough and would be able to stand
up to the most extreme elements.
After looking over the city pool, Hamdan gave the city an estimate on
how much he would line the pool for coming out to $161,000.
Hamdan said that that estimate is very low because he would like to help
the town he lived in for a long time.
"When we figured the price, we didn't figure it like other towns," he
said.
Hamdan said that he understands that Pecos is not a rich city and if the
pool closes there would not be anything for the children of Pecos to do.
"We'd like to improve the situation in Pecos," he said.
Hamdan also said that refurbishing the city pool would be cheaper than
building a new pool, which could cost as much as one million dollars.
Regional Programmer Manager for the Texas General Sanitation Programs
Jeff Heinatz also said that it would be better for the city to refurbish
the existing pools rather than build a new one.
He said that the new regulations were not extremely tough but are tougher
on new pools because some regulations have "grandfather" clauses.
Heinatz explained that some regulations would allow existing pools to
keep existing equipment "just as long as it works."
Heinatz said that quite a few regulations have changed and the new regulations
are very involved.
He said that the new regulations have already affected some pools across
the state but that the state is not "out to get" anyone.
"It's already affected a few," he said. "A lot of that is just due to
lack of maintenance."
Heinatz said that the state decided to upgrade the regulations and make
them tougher in order to make pools safer for the staff and public.
"An overwhelming number of people are getting killed at swimming pools,"
he said.
The new regulations went into effect in October 1999 but are still new
to a lot of pools in Texas.
"It's still early enough into the game where we are still working with
the pools," Heinatz said.
Gil said that he is planning on asking Heinatz to come to Pecos and give
him a written report on what needs to be done to the city pool.
He said that he is hoping to bring the pool up to regulation before next
summer.
Small blazes give firemen busy morning
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
PECOS, Monday, July 30, 2001 -- The Pecos Volunteer Fire Department had a
busy morning, today, with two fire calls back to back on the north
and far west sides of town.
Fire personnel were called to a fire on North Alamo Street at approximately
10:30 a.m., this morning behind Acid Delinters, after receiving a report
of a large fire in a field to the west of the facility.
"They were burning trash in a barrel," said Town of Pecos City Fire Marshal
Jack Brookshire.
Because there is currently an outdoor burn ban in the county the fire
personnel went ahead and put out the fire, according to Brookshire.
About an hour later, the firemen were called to another fire on FM 2119
at Business Loop 20, to which the personnel were able to respond to quickly.
"We already had crews in the trucks, so it didn't take that long to get
out here," he said. "They were just returning from the other fire."
The second fire turned out to be a small grass fire that also destroyed
what is believed to have been a dog house, according to Brookshire.
He said that he is not sure at this time what caused the second fire.
Brookshire said that he would investigate the second fire further and
also gave a reminder to county residents.
"There is a burn ban in the county and there shouldn't be any outdoor
burning right now," he said.
Police probe weekend fight outside Allsup's
By LEIA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
PECOS, Monday, July 30, 2001 -- The Pecos Police Department and the Town
of Pecos City are investigating an incident that occurred at Allsup's
on South Eddy Street in the early morning hours on Sunday that led
to the arrest of three Pecos men.
Michael Roy Pena, 18, Richard Paul Rodriguez, 17, and Juan Carlos Abila,
17, were all arrested after 4 a.m., on Sunday for public intoxication. Abila
was also arrested for minor in possession.
Investigator Kelly Davis that the police were alerted to a problem at
the convenience store when an employee pressed the panic alarm.
"She (the employee) called in about a fight in the parking lot," he said.
When officers arrived they took four subjects, three males and one female,
into custody.
Davis said that the police officers talked with the store employee and
then talked with the four subjects.
He said that once the officers started talking to the individuals involved
with the fight they realized three of them had been drinking.
Davis said that a Highway Patrolman that was on the scene gave the three
subjects a breathalyzer test and they did have alcohol in their system.
"They were, according to the state, legally drunk," he said.
Apparently the three men were not the only ones involved in the fight,
according to Davis.
"We think that there were some other subjects that were involved in the
fight," he said.
The three men told officers that there were other individuals that were
fighting but had left just before the police arrived.
Davis said that Abila was charged with minor in possession because one
of the officers discovered a can of beer in the 2000 Izusu Rodeo Utility
vehicle he was driving.
Pena and Rodriguez, along with the female, were in a 1989 white Chevrolet
pickup.
Police declined to say who was the owner of the Chevrolet pickup, but
Davis said that the incident is still under investigation.
City Finance Director George Bejarano said that the city is aware of the
incident and is also investigating the matter.
"We're checking into it right now," he said.
City Manager Carlos Yerena was unavailable for comment in time for this
article.
Brakeless bike receives blame for boy's crash
By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Monday, July 30, 2001 -- An 8-year-old boy was slightly hurt Sunday
night in an accident involving a vehicle on the east side of Pecos,
according to police.
The accident occurred at the intersection of Fourth and Mulberry, Sunday
at 9:34 p.m., when police said the 8-year-old riding a 10-speed bike collided
with a 1995 white Jeep, driven by Oscar Ontiveros.
"The boy was traveling north on Mulberry and the Jeep was going east on
4th Street," Pecos Police Lt. Kelly Davis said. "The two collided
at the intersection in which the young boy ran into the driver's side of
the Jeep."
When the police arrived at the scene, Davis said that the young boy lying
on the sidewalk put appeared not to be seriously injured.
The driver of the vehicle was not cited for the accident because according
to the police report the bike did not have any brakes and the young boy failed
to yield the right of way.
"The driver of the Jeep did not intend to hit the boy, and no charges
have been filed against him," Davis said.
He added that police are continuing to investigate the accident.
GED registration set at high school
PECOS, Monday, July 30, 2001 -- GED Registration will be held on Tuesday
and Wednesday at the Pecos High School Counselor's Office from 1-5 p.m.
Individuals must bring a picture ID and social security card.
GED Testing Dates are Monday, Aug. 6 and Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the Pecos
High School.
Testing will begin at 4:45 p.m.
For more information call 447-7229.
Pecos Valley Crime Stoppers
PECOS, Monday, July 30, 2001 -- Crime Stoppers is asking for the community's
help in locating a fugitive from justice on their "Most Wanted"
list.
Dagoberto M. Rodriguez, 43, who is wanted for motion to revoke, forgery.
The subject was born Feb. 21, 1958, is 5 feet-6 inches tall, weighs 170
pounds and has brown hair and browns eyes. He usually has a full beard.
If you know where this subject is hiding it will be worth a "cash reward"
of up to $1,000 once the subject is in custody.
Call Pecos Valley Crime Stoppers at 445-9898 and you will remain anonymous.
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 indicate payment and release.
***
Ron A. Valeriano, 19, was arrested at 6 p.m., on July 8 in the 2200
block of Eddy Street on a warrant for theft over $50 but less than $500-Class
B Misdemeanor.
***
Alonzo Munoz, 29, was arrested at 8:39 p.m., on July 8 in the 700 block
of Mesquite Street for driving with a suspended license.
***
Ruben Muniz, 42, was arrested at 10:12 p.m., on July 7 in the 200 block
of Sycamore Street for public intoxication.
***
Ramon A. Noriega, 42, was arrested at 10:35 p.m., on July 7 at Saragosa
Hall for public intoxication-enhanced, Class B Misdemeanor.
***
Oscar Hernandez, 45, was arrested at 12:36 a.m., on July 8 in the 200
block of Peach Street for public intoxication-enhanced, Class B Misdemeanor.
***
A female juvenile was arrested at 2:14 a.m., on July 8 in the 200 block
of Locust Street for being a juvenile runaway.
***
Norbeto Rodriguez, 18, and Benjamin N. Anchondo, 20, were arrested at
10:24 p.m., on July 6 in the 1300 block of Cedar Street both for public intoxication
while Anchondo was also arrested for evading officers.
***
Enrique Lujan, 45, was arrested at 12:01 a.m., on July 7 in the 1500
block of Cowan Street for assault under the Family Violence Act.
***
Pedro Morales, 63, was arrested at 1:55 p.m., on July 7 in the 200 block
of Peach Street for public intoxication-enhanced, a Class B Misdemeanor.
***
Nolberto Martinez, 17, was arrested at 2:30 p.m., on July 1 in the 7000
block of Titan Street in the Lindsey Addition for assault under the Family
Violence Act.
***
Jose Luis Lujan, 39, was arrested 10:53 p.m., on July 10 in the 800
block of Martinez Street for public intoxication.
***
Eduardo Bernal, 51, was arrested at 9:58 p.m., on July 24 in the 1000
block of East Third Street for public intoxication.
***
Eric Salcido, 20, and Lee Arredondo, 18, were arrested at 11:20 p.m.,
on July 24 in the 200 block of West 14th Street both for evading
arrest.
***
A male juvenile was arrested at 1:31 p.m., on July 24 in the 2000 block
of Washington Street for family violence.
***
Carlos Nino, 20, was arrested at 2:12 a.m., on July 23 in the 200 block
of Cherry Street for public intoxication.
***
Rigoberto Perez, 24, was arrested at 7 p.m., on July 22 at Reeves County
Sheriff's Office on Capias Pro Fine warrants for speeding.
***
Two female juveniles were arrested at 1:14 a.m., on July 22 at the Texaco
on 13th and Cedar Streets both for evading.
***
Manuel Fuentez, 19, was arrested at 6:10 p.m., on July 21 in the 1100
block of West Second Street for assault under the Family Violence Act.
***
Hector Martinez, 38, was arrested at 8:55 a.m., on July 21 in the 200
block of West Seventh Street on a warrant for possession of a controlled
substance within 1,000 feet of a playground with intent to distribute, a
third degree felony.
***
Ida O. Flores, 39, and Cruz S. Jimenez, 27, were arrested at 11:53 p.m.,
on July 20 in the 900 block of Ash Street both for abuse of aerosol paint
and Flores was also arrested for resisting arrest.
***
Patricia Hill, 31, was arrested at 5:53 p.m., on July 20 at the Pecos
Police Department on a Capias Pro Fine warrant. Hill paid the fine and was
released.
***
Melvin Lofton, Jr., 18, was arrested at 12:58 a.m., on July 18 at mile
marker 157 on Interstate 10 in Culberson County for deadly conduct and fleeing
and eluding a police officer.
***
Pedro Melendez Acosta, Jr., 21, was arrested at 2:43 a.m., on July 15
in the 400 block of North Elm Street for public intoxication.
***
Jose Falcon, 20, was arrested at 11:15 p.m., on July 13 across from
Balmorhea Grocery between Highway 17 and Main Street for public intoxication.
***
Marcos Licon, 43, was arrested at 1:29 a.m., on July 30 in the 400 block
of Magnolia Street for public intoxication.
***
Gloria Gomez, 32, was arrested at 6:42 a.m., on July 29 at the Sheriff's
Office on Capias Pro Fine warrants.
***
Jesus Hernandez, 62, was arrested at 7:18 p.m., on July 28 at Fourth
and Sycamore Streets for a Capias Pro Fine warrant.
***
Israel Matta, 20, was arrested at 9:03 p.m., on July 28 at Third and
Cherry Streets on a Ward County warrant for motion to revoke.
***
Gloria Gomez, 32, was arrested at 1:15 a.m., on July 29 in the 1000
block of East Third Street for assault under the Family Violence Act.
***
Ida Florez, 39, and Rebecca Jimenez, 39, were arrested at 2:30 a.m.,
on July 29 in the 900 block of Oleander Street both for public intoxication
and disorderly conduct (fighting).
***
Michael Pena, 18, Juan Abila, 17, and Richard Rodriguez, 17, were arrested
at 4:06 a.m., on July 29 in the 2300 block of South Eddy Street all for public
intoxication while Abila was also arrested for minor in possession.
***
Julian Olivas, Jr., 18, was arrested at 7:16 a.m., on July 28 in the
200 block of Walthall Street on a warrant for robbery, a second degree felony.
***
Simon Olague, 39, Elpidia Sanchez, 33, were arrested at 9:51 p.m., on
July 27 in the 2000 block of Scott Street both for assault under the Family
Violence Act.
***
Alex Plasencia, 18, Juan Aguilar, 19, and Jimmy Juarez, 19, were arrested
at 1:58 a.m., on July 28 in the 900 block of East Eighth Street. Plasencia
was arrested on a warrant for engaging in criminal activity and a warrant
for terroristic threat. Aguilar and Juarez were arrested for public intoxication.
***
Jesus C. Sotelo, 52, was arrested at 7:25 p.m., on July 26 in the 600
block of Mesquite Street for public intoxication and giving a false report
to a peace officer.
***
Robert Rodriguez, 54, was arrested at 12:38 a.m., on July 27 in the
1400 block of Pecan Street for public intoxication.
***
Abel Zuniga, 22, was arrested at 8:53 p.m., on July 27 at the Purple
Sage for evading arrest and detention.
Weather
PECOS, Monday, July 30, 2001 -- High Sunday 104. Low this morning 76.
Forecast for tonight: Partly cloudy with a chance of isolated Thunderstorm.
Low in the mid to upper 70s. Tuesday and Wednesday: Partly cloudy with
a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms. High near 105. Lows around 75.
Obituary
Loraine Austin
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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