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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Thursday, January 3, 2002
Commissioner's races add candidates at deadline
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thurs., Jan. 3, 2002 -- A third candidate for the Precinct 2 Reeves
County Commissioner's seat in the March Democratic Party primary election
filed just before Wednesday's deadline, while the incumbent commissioner
for Precinct 4 picked up his first challenger on the final day to enter
the March 12 election.
Newcomers Alvaro "Al" Herrera and Alex Ramirez entered the commissioner's
races on Wednesday, by filing treasurer's designations with Reeves County
Clerk Diane Florez and with Democratic Party Chairman Bobby Dean. Herrera
will seek the Precinct 2 commissioner's seat and named Connie Herrera as
his treasurer, while Ramirez, who designated himself as treasurer, filed
for the position of Reeves County Commissioner Precinct 4.
Ramirez will face incumbent Gilberto "Hivi" Rayos, while Herrera will
face incumbent David Castillo and another challenger, Norman Hill. Both Rayos
and Castillo are in their first terms as county commissioner, after being
elected to their posts in 1998.
Ramirez' filing brings to six the total number of local races that will
be contested in the March 12 primary. Drawing for a place on the ballot has
been scheduled for Jan. 18.
The four other contested races include the primary election for Reeves
County Judge, where incumbent Jimmy B. Galindo is being challenged by Louis
J. Matta; Reeves County Clerk, where Florez is being challenged by Sofia
Abila, and for the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace and Constable posts. Incumbent
Precinct 2 JP J.T. Marsh has two opponents, Jim Riley and Jaime Salgado,
while Jerry Matta and Clint Glenn are seeking the constable position vacated
last month by Salgado, when he decided to run for Justice of the Peace.
Others who have filed and will appear unopposed on the primary ballot
include, Judge, County-Court-At-Law, Walter M. Holcombe; District Clerk,
Pat Tarin; County treasurer Linda Clark; Justice of the Peace, Precinct #1
Amonario P. Ramon; Justice of the Peace, Precinct #3 Rosendo Carrasco; and
Justice of the Peace, Precinct #4 Lamberto T. Herrera.
Dean has also filed for the position of Democratic Party Chairman, a position
which will be up for election as well. Dean has been county chairman for
many years and will run unopposed for that position on March 12.
Several other candidates did file treasurer's designations with Florez
in December, but failed to file either their signed petitions or submit a
filing fee with Dean before Wednesday's 6 p.m. deadline.
Unopposed candidates could still face either Republican or write-in candidates
in the November general election. Reeves County had no filings on the Republican
side for any local positions in the primary election, which will also be
held on March 12.
There will be a primary election on the Republican side for the U.S. Senate
seat being vacated by Phil Gramm that Reeves County voters can participate
in, while Democratic voters will be casting ballots that day in both the
primary for U.S. Senate and for governor. Republican Rick Perry, who took
over as governor when George W. Bush was elected president, is unopposed
in his bid for a full four-year term.
Pickup- train collision kills Monahans man
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thurs., Jan. 3, 2002 -- A Monahans man was killed in a train-vehicle
accident that occurred on the west side of that city early this morning.
The accident happened at 6:25 this morning, at North Loop 464 and the
Texas-New Mexico railroad crossing, a spur line which connects with the main
Union Pacific Railroad line along Business Interstate 20 in Monahans and
travels north through Kermit and Jal, Eunice and Hobbs in southeastern New
Mexico.
Wesley Boone, 31, of Monahans, was driving a 1998 Chevy Pickup, was killed
instantly when his vehicle collided with the eighth car of a northbound train
of 21 cars, according to Department of Public Safety Trooper Eric White.
White said that the driver apparently did not see the train coming. "It
was dark and the crossing was not marked," said White.
The pickup went completely under the train and continued onward for 990
feet past the train, according to the accident report.
"He apparently did not see the train at all and the truck just went through
the train, under it and continued traveling," said White.
Boone's body had to be removed by the Jaws of Life, with the aid of the
Monahans Fire Department.
Nobody else was injured or in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
No other investigation will be done on the accident.
Year In Review
Lack of rains caused fires, dust storms in area
PECOS, Thurs., Jan. 3, 2002 --
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the sixth in a series of stories covering events
in Pecos and Reeves County in 2001. Today's story is on events during the
month of June.
***
Friday, June 1, 2001—Problems with a new wastewater treatment system
are to blame for the smells coming from south of the Anchor Foods plant in
Pecos, and the company said the problem is being addressed as quickly as
possible. Accumulation of vegetable waste in the settling ponds is likely
a key source of the odors. Anchor is taking immediate steps to have this
material removed.
Rains hit Fort Davis on Thursday, but they failed to fall in the nearby
areas where firemen have been battling a pair of wildfires for the past four
days. Firemen continue to battle the twin wildfires, which were caused by
lightning strikes on Memorial Day.
***
Tuesday, June 5, 2001—Water was shut off to numerous Pecos homes
after a water main broke at about 8 p.m., Monday night on the east side of
town. Pecos Utilities Director Octavio Garcia said that the water main at
the intersection of Seventh and Walnut Street broke and the water cracked
the asphalt and filled the street. Local law enforcement set up roadblocks
in that area so that a city crew could fix the leak. By 6 a.m., this morning
the leak was fixed and water was flowing to the homes in the area.
After many days of fighting the three fires located in the Fort Davis
area have been contained. Kelly Bryan, Fire Chief in Fort Davis said that
with the fires controlled, volunteers are demobilizing and pulling out, and
he is uneasy because of the thunderstorms that expected for this afternoon
and through Saturday. With the thunderstorms expecting to roll in this afternoon,
and conditions in the area continuing to stay dry there is a possibility
of future fires.
***
Wednesday, June 6, 2001—Town of Pecos City Mayor Ray Ortega once
again got to keep his home, following a lawsuit instigated by the city official.
An auction had been set for 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 5, in front of the courthouse
steps, but that sale was canceled.
Ortega had filed for Chapter 13, bankruptcy last year, saying at that
time that it was, "a reorganizational effort to get his affairs together."
Ortega said that the main reason he went into bankruptcy was because of
the house payment, in which he was behind the payments on. Ortega said that
by filing this lawsuit the house could then go back into the bankruptcy court.
***
Thursday, June 7, 2001—Menu items remain the same, along with the
same friendly staff that greet you at what was formerly known as the Cattleman's
Restaurant now called "Abi's Kitchen." Bertha Porras and her husband, Carlos,
purchased the restaurant located at 425 W. 3rd, after the couple that owned
the restaurant decided to retire.
Balmorhea schools will be getting a high-tech shot in the arm now that
the district has received a $50,000 grant to improve technology infrastructure
on its campuses. The grant comes from the Telecommunications Infrastructure
Fund (TIF) Board, a state agency that provides technology funding for Texas
public schools.
Pecos Crime Stoppers asked community members for any information on a
drive by shooting that occurred on May 24 at an unknown time in the 2200
block of South Plum Street. Davis said that it appeared that only one shot
was fired at the home of David and Jan Pattillo with the bullet entering
the front of the house. No one was injured.
***
Friday, June 8, 2001—Signing bonuses for all subject matter teacher
shortage areas were approved during the regular meeting of the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah
ISD Board. Assistant Superintendent Gome Olibas told the group that he would
like a fixed bonus amount to be set by the board. The bonuses that range
all the way up to $5,000 will be awarded to math and science teachers, while
signing bonuses of $1,500 will be given to special education and bilingual
teachers. School superintendent Don Love told the group that they really
wanted to attract good teachers.
***
Monday, June 11, 2001—Pecos Police Officers arrested three local
men involved in two separate incidents over the weekend. Two men were arrested
for aggravated assault after they got into a confrontation with two Allsup's
Convenience Store clerks, located in the 700 block of South Cedar Street.
Pecos Police Investigator Kelly Davis said at some point in the argument
the two employees were attacked with a tire tool that sent one to the hospital
with head injuries.
***
Tuesday, June 12, 2001—The Town of Pecos City, City Council authorized
the application for a State of Texas home improvement partnership program
grant that would be used to help in purchasing affordable housing in Pecos
during a special meeting last Friday. City Manager Carlos Yerena informed
the Council that the $300,000 grant would be for affordable housing through
the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) and could be
used toward either new or existing housing in Pecos.
***
Wednesday, June 13, 2001—The residents of Pecos got to glimpse a
few raindrops in the following the dust storm Tuesday evening. The storm
hit at about 7:30 in the evening to the Pecos area and caused no damage to
crops according to Mike Murphy of the Texas A&M Experiment Station.
Department of Public Transportation Communications Officer, Linda Chavez
said that yesterday's visibility was zero at the height of the short storm
but that there were no reports of roads being closed. The Pecos Municipal
Airport reported that the wind gusts of 61miles per hour were recorded during
the storm.
***
Friday, June 15, 2001—They were seen roaming the country during
the pioneer days. Then they were thought to be an endangered species. Now
they are roaming the countryside again. Or at least the highways. The Chief
Deputy Sheriff of Brewster County, Jim Keene, said that they have had numerous
calls, on buffalo blocking area roads. Wednesday he got a call about buffalo
roaming across U. S. Highway 385 north of Marathon, three miles into Pecos
County. A call was made to the Pecos Sheriff's Department at about 8 a.m.,
but because all officers were out, a call was then made to the Alpine Sheriff's
Department at about 12:50 p.m. about the buffalo being loose, Keene said.
A total of forty buffalo - cow, bulls and calves - all contributed to traffic
having to slow down as well as to traffic jam. No accidents were reported,
Keene said.
***
Monday, June 18, 2001—An Odessa man and a boy from Georgia were
killed in separate accidents in Ward County, one between Monahans and Coyanosa
early Sunday morning and the other between Pyote and Barstow early today.
The boy died following a one-vehicle accident that occurred 10 miles east
of Pecos on Interstate 20 in Ward County at about 3:35 this morning. The
other fatality was the result of a motorcycle accident on Farm Road 1776,
a tenth of a mile from county road 1771 in southern Ward County.
***
Tuesday, June 19, 2001—The love for others has brought many adventures
to a Florida woman over the years while journeying across the Western Hemisphere
on a motorcycle. Catharine Rambeau has spent most of her adult life on motorcycles,
and continues to ride not only for her but also for children with cancer.
She made a stop in Pecos the previous Friday while traveling along the borders
of Texas alone in hope of gaining support for Texas Children's Hospital in
Houston. Rambeau said that she chose to ride in Texas not only because the
children's hospital is located in Houston but also because Texans are "real
polite" and the state has good roads
***
Friday, June 22, 2001—After 14 years of operations, Smithers Scientific
Services, Inc. will be closing its doors with an auction of all remaining
on-site equipment. In a press release sent out in early April, the company
said that it was closing its tire and automotive testing complex due to an
inadequate business volume over the last several years that has adversely
impacted operations.
***
Tuesday, June 26, 2001—The City of Pecos is looking to find funds
to help keep the City Athletic Pool open so that the children of Pecos would
have something to do during future summer vacations. After being open for
over three decades, the city has had to go in several times and repatch the
pool floor due to leakage. However according to City Health and Sanitation
Director Armando Gil, if someone is to jump on certain spots of the pool
floor would tend to bounce back due to the water that is trapped underneath
it. The pool at Maxey Park is open this summer, but in order for it to continue
to stay open in the future and at the same time meet the qualifications of
the Texas Department of Health, the repairs alone would cost the Town of
Pecos City about $500,000, Gil said. ***
Thursday, June 28, 2001—Reeves County has filed a lawsuit against
the construction company that was in charge of the Reeves County Detention
Center II project. Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo said the project came
in late and Reeves County had to do some work the architects should have
done.
***
Friday, June 29, 2001—Town of Pecos City officials received good
news in the form of federal funding for the new jail facility the city has
been working on. The U.S. Marshal's Service released $2.4 million in funding
to the City of Pecos to reimburse the city for construction of a new detention
facility, U.S. Senator Phil Gramm announced. Ground was broken back in April
for the 96-bed jail, which will also serve as new home for the Pecos Police
Department and will be located on Raul Florez Boulevard, between Texas and
Moore streets.
Chamber selling tickets for annual awards banquet
PECOS, Thurs., Jan. 3, 2002 -- Tickets are now on sale for the Annual
Chamber of Commerce Banquet scheduled for Jan. 25, at the Reeves County Civic
Center.
Guest speaker will be Ray Stone, who broadcasts the Dallas Cowboys Report
on radio stations across Texas and other parts of the Southwest.
Tickets can be purchased at the chamber office located at 111 S. Cedar
or call 445-2406.
Bonilla to face re-election challenge from Cuellar
By The Associated Press
Five-term incumbent Henry Bonilla could face his toughest re-election
challenge yet this November, after a former Secretary of State filed to run
for the District 23 seat as a Democrat on Wednesday.
Henry Cuellar, a Laredo Democrat who was appointed Secretary of State
by Gov. Rick Perry, entered the race for the 23rd District seat
on the final day to file. The District runs from Laredo to the eastern part
of El Paso County, and includes both parts of San Antonio and all of Reeves
County.
Bonilla was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1992, defeating
Democratic incumbent Albert Bustamante, who was at the time under indictment
and was later convicted of illegally accepting bribes.
Bonilla became the first Mexican-American Republican elected to the U.S.
House and has easily won re-election in each of his past four campaigns,
but could face a tough challenge against Cuellar. He spent 14 years as a
member of the Texas House of Representatives before being named Secretary
of State by Perry last year. He resigned the post in October, and initial
speculation was Cuellar would run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated
by Republican Phil Gramm.
Cuellar told the San Antonio Express-News he is running on his record
as a state legislator and stressed that his campaign would press issues of
education, homeland defense, the economy and Social Security. .
"I consider him (Bonilla) a good man," Cuellar said. "I'm running to give
the people a choice."
Bonilla's Washington office said a formal statement from the congressman
would not be available until later today, but Frank Guerra, Bonilla's spokesman,
told the Express-News that the congressman would take Cuellar's challenge
seriously, while predicting, "We'll beat him."
Wednesday was the filing deadline for this year's elections. By the end
of the day, five Republicans and five Democrats had filed to run in their
respective primaries for the Senate.
Former Texas Attorney General Dan Morales had all but officially announced
he would be among the Democratic contenders. But he surprised many by filing
for the governor's race.
Gramm retires next January and his decision not to seek re-election has
set off a frenzy to replace him in what could be campaigns costing millions
of dollars.
"I think this will be a very expensive race. Texas is the second most
populous state. You have 14 major media markets. You're trying to talk to
five or six million voters or more. The magnitude of it makes it expensive,"
said U.S. Rep. Ken Bentsen, D-Houston. Bentsen said he'll rely on his accomplishments
in Congress to emerge from the crowded field.
Democrats haven't held one of Texas' Senate seats since 1993, when Bob
Krueger lost in a special election to Kay Bailey Hutchison, a Republican.
Other Democrats trying to put their party back in the Senate in 2003 include
former Gramm challenger Victor Morales; former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, ballot
perennial Gene Kelly and Austin attorney Ed Cunningham.
Texas Attorney General John Cornyn saw his opposition in the Republican
primary increase this week. But his campaign office said he's a veteran at
primary races.
"Attorney General Cornyn looks forward to a spirited campaign," said Matt
Winslow, a Cornyn spokesman.
His Republican opponents are Lawrence Cranberg, an 84-year-old Austin
physicist, and Douglas Deffenbaugh, a San Antonio businessman, attorney and
accountant. Also filing as Republicans were Bruce Rusty Lang of Dallas who
listed his occupation as Christian physician, and Dudley Mooney from Santo
in Palo Pinto County.
Weather
PECOS, Thurs., Jan. 3, 2002 -- High Wed. 39. Low this morning 23. Forecast
for tonight: Increasing clouds. Lows near 30. South winds 5 to 15
mph. Fri.: Mostly cloudy. Highs near 55. South winds 5 to 15
mph. Fri. night: Cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain or snow. Lows
near 30. Sat.: Cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain or snow
early: Decreasing clouds by afternoon. Highs 50 to 55. Sun.:
Partly cloudy. Lows 25 to 30. Highs near 55.
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.
***
A male juvenile was arrested at 6:06 p.m., on December 20 at Walmart
for theft over $50 and under $500.
***
Jaime L. Wade, 44, was arrested at 11:06 p.m., on December 20 in the
1100 block of Lunday Drive for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
***
Richard L. Urias, 22, and Mark Salazar, 25, were arrested at 1:58 p.m.,
on December 21 at the Purple Sage. Urias was arrested for disorderly conduct
(fighting) while Salazar was arrested for evading arrest or detention.
***
Christina Acosta, 25, Gabriel Candia, 28, and Raul L. Fierro, 26, were
arrested at 2:30 a.m., on December 21 at the Quality Inn. Acosta and Candia
were arrested for public intoxication while Fierro was arrested on a Reeves
County Sheriff's Office warrant for reckless conduct and on a DPS Pecos warrant
for speeding.
***
Juan Carlos Lujan, 29, was arrested at 749 p.m., on December 19 in the
700 block of South Walnut Street on a Capias Pro Fine warrant for speeding.
***
Jesus Orosco, 35, was arrested at 8:19 p.m., on December 18, in the
900 block of South Cedar Street for public intoxication.
***
Joann Villescas, 26, was arrested at 8:45 p.m., on December 18 in the
500 block of Walthall Street on a warrant for failure to provide food and
water for an animal.
***
Esmilda Hernandez, 44, was arrested at 9:18 p.m., on December 17 at
Eddy and Washington Streets on outstanding DPS warrants for unregistered
driver and no liability insurance.
***
Joe Martinez, 17, was arrested at 10:15 p.m., on December 17 in the
1100 block of Oleander Street for assault under the Family Violence Act.
***
Virgina Romero, 50, was arrested at 9:53 p.m., on December 17 in the
300 block of East 14th Street for assault under the Family Violence
Act, resisting arrest and interference with an emergency call.
***
Gerardo Mendoza, 22, was arrested at 6:47 p.m., on December 16 in the
300 block of South Cedar Street on a warrant criminal trespass.
***
Jaime Natividad, 18, was arrested at 9:18 p.m., on December 16 in the
900 block of East Eighth Street for public intoxication and assault under
the Family Violence Act.
***
Gary Neal Tate, 44, was arrested at 8:30 a.m., on December 16 at Flying
J Truckstop for theft under $50.
***
Diane Mendoza, 37, was arrested at 7:07 p.m., on December 15 in the
100 block of South Pecan Street for public intoxication.
***
Rosie Rodriguez, 49, and Frank Rivera, Jr., 52, were arrested at 11:13
p.m., on December 15 in the 1100 block of East Third Street both for public
intoxication.
Obituary
Paul Morrison
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 newsdesk@nwol.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 2001 by Pecos Enterprise
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