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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Thursday, August 29, 2002
Interview with Williams on MDA to air this weekend
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thurs., Aug. 29, 2002 -- Despite being diagnosed with a crippling
disease, Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Athletic Director Bubba Williams is enjoying
his life to the fullest and doing what he loves to do the most, coach.
Pecos High School Athletic Director Bubba Williams has been diagnosed
with poliomyelitis, a form of muscular dystrophy. "It's a muscle disease
that attacks the upper limbs and torso," said Williams. "They weaken and
you lose muscle."
Williams said that people think that you lose weight with the disease,
but that it's really muscle that you lose. "And that's really something
you can't get back," said Williams.
Williams was interviewed Wednesday afternoon by Jay Hendricks, anchorman
for KWES- Ch. 9's 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts, about the disease and what the
foundation has done for him. "They asked me what the Muscular Dystrophy
Association has done for me and about the disease and what treatments I'm
on," said Williams.
Williams' interview will air at 6 p.m., Friday and again on Monday during
the Jerry Lewis Telethon, which will air on KWES all day on Labor Day. "The
live portion of the telethon will air at those times," said Hendricks referring
to the local segments of the telethon, which will run from 7 a.m. until 6
p.m.
Williams said that the association has provided him with a little scooter
and have helped with some of the doctor's bills. "They paid some of my doctor's
bills that were left over and had some supplies sent over, like for handicapped
individuals," said Williams.
Williams said that there are some days that just getting up and walking
proves to be a challenge.
"Right now, I'm on some drug therapy," said Williams. "I'll go back to
the doctor's on Oct. 22 and they'll know then if there has been some improvement,"
he said.
Williams will visit the doctor at the Southwest Medical Center in Dallas
in three months and they will decide if the drug therapy is having any effect
or not. "They'll take it from there," he said.
"The doctor feels that I might get back some of my strength, but of course
the muscle you lose you can never get back," he said.
"They just wanted to try this first and see if I could get stronger,"
said Williams.
Williams said he feels like the medication is helping him. "Last week,
my legs felt very heavy, like they weighed a ton, I was getting very fatigued,
very tired," said Williams. "And I feel frustrated because my wife is having
to do a lot for me, because I can't lift anything," he said.
"But the doctor said I would feel like that, before I saw any improvement,"
he said.
Williams said that the staff, including PBT-ISD Superintendent Don Love,
assistant Gome Olibas and all the staff have been very supportive. "They
have been just great, anything I need they're there for me," he said.
The county crews went to the field area and made a walkway for Williams,
so the wheels on his scooter wouldn't get stuck on the gravel. "I was really
tickled that they did that for me," he said.
"I'm just very happy that all these people really care and have done so
much for me," said Williams. "They have just been very, very supportive,"
he said.
Williams was born and raised in Pecos. He graduated from Pecos High School
in 1967 and received a baseball scholarship to attend college. He went to
school at Ranger Junior College, graduated from there and then transferred
to Sul Ross State University where he earned his bachelor's and master's
degrees.
Williams is married to Laverne Williams. The couple has twins, Junior
Williams who is also a coach for the P-B-T ISD, and Lori Mathis, along with
two grandchildren. "Those grandkids are the love of my life," said Williams.
Williams dotes on his grandchildren and is anxiously awaiting the arrival
of a new little one into the family. "Junior's wife is going to have another
baby and we're just thrilled," he said. "Jaylene (granddaughter) is the
apple of my eye, she's my baby," he said.
He has been a coach in Pecos for 30 years, the last 21 as head baseball
coach for Pecos and the last four as the district's athletic director.
"This will be my 31st year," said Williams. "And I loved every
minute of it," he said.
Police seeking to start new youth, adult programs
By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thurs., Aug. 29, 2002 -- The Pecos Police Department is working on
creating programs that will help provide tips and information to community
members on topics from child safety to police ethics.
According to the new Pecos Police Department Communications Officer,
Mike Balog, he is working on three projects now that will help the community.
"I have three projects in the planning stages," Balog said. " And I am
getting good feed back from the community."
The first project, Safe Kids Identifications Disks/Photos (S.K.I.D.),
is a program that creates a form that will contain a picture and the name
of the child will be provided. Information of the child's date of birth,
finger prints and a hair sample will also be provided within the form.
"I am working with the councilors of the schools for this (S.K.I.D.) program,"
Balog said. "We will start with the head start and move up to the junior
high."
According to Balog, a total of 1,838 students will be provided with this
program, but parents' participation is very much needed, through the signing
of a consent form.
"Parents participate by signing a consent form," Balog said.
If a parent does not sign the consent form the police department will
not be able to supply the parents with information on their child.
"It is important that the parents sign the consent forms," Balog added.
Balog also added that he wanted parents to realize that the information
will not be used to create a database at the police department but rather
it is a program to help provide the parents with the information.
"Parents need to understand that we will not keep this on file," Balog
said. "It is for the parents."
Balog said that the information on child safety would be provided by the
councilors of the schools.
"We will go into each classroom and the councilors will talk to them on
child safety," Balog said.
This program is to help prevent kidnapping, Balog said. "This gives us
a little more to work off of," hr said.
Balog added that the form is one of which the children can take home to
their parents.
"If they (children) are ever missing, the parents will have something,"
he said adding that the program is a good one that is much needed in P-B-T
schools
This is a good program that is much needed Balog also added.
"We will do this about the end of September or early October," Balog said.
He said the councilors have been very good in putting this program together.
Balog added that the forms used for fingerprint the students were donated
by both banks in Pecos.
Bike safety, is the second program that is being put together by Balog
and the Pecos Police Department.
According to Balog, a Bike Rodeo is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26, in
which kids can ride through an obstacle course and at the same time learn
about bike safety.
"Bike safety teaches the importance of a helmet," he added.
"The Midland Police Department will be helping us put this together,"
Balog said.
About two years ago a bike safety program was put on by the Pecos PD,
which created a good turnout and Balog hopes that this year's bike safety
program is as successful.
"If every kid wore a helmet it would cut back on the number of injuries
and deaths," Balog said.
Give-a-ways will also be provided by the Midland Police Department, Balog
added.
A program that has not been able to get off the ground and of which Balog
is determined to get it off the ground is the Citizens Police Academy.
"It is a 12-15 week academy," Balog said. "Where we meet once a week."
The program is to help the community familiarize its self with the police
department.
Balog said that the academy would cover topics from the operations of
the police department to the traffic laws.
"The more they understand about us, the more it will help them," Balog
said.
According to Balog, towns such as Midland, Odessa, Del Rio and Austin
have programs like this one that have become successful.
"It is extremely successful," Balog said. "If any one is interested they
can come talk to me."
Balog believes that this is a program that can help the community by
establishing support groups.
"They will become a support group and apart of our family," Balog said.
According to Balog the first group of people that go through the course
will then help create an alumni association within the program.
"The association in Midland helps raise money for the helmets," Balog
said.
Support groups could be created for the different types of areas the
police officers may need assistance in, Balog said.
"There could be an elderly watch program," Balog said.
The program could watch for the potential abuse of any elderly person
or they could be someone an elderly person might want to talk too.
Another thing that Balog is looking to teach during the academy would
be that of being able to identify items that are in the home in order to
help people recover any items that might have been stolen during a burglary.
"The neighborhood watch need to be rejuvenated," Balog added.
Balog asks that anyone who wants to see Pecos become a better place to
live to join the academy.
"The program will provide us with more eyes and ears," Balog said.
The program is also a way to educate the community on the law, Balog
said.
Balmorhea expects good turnout for festival
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thurs., Aug. 29, 2002 -- Food, music and gift items are just some
of the things that will be available in downtown Balmorhea this weekend
to celebrate the Labor Day weekend.
Festivities for the 28th Annual Oasis of West Texas Labor Day
Festival are scheduled to begin early Saturday morning, with registration
for the events planned at 10 a.m.
"They can come earlier if they want, but 10 a.m., is when we'll be registering,"
said one of the organizers for the yearly event Pat Brijalba. "We'll be
here early setting up and greeting visitors."
Trophies for first, second and third place will be awarded in the World
Championship Frijole Bean Cookoff. Best Camp Award will also be handed out
and is sponsored by the Cueva de Oso (Bear's Den) Restaurant. The winner
will receive a trophy and a steak dinner for two from the local restaurant.
A sizzling fajita cookoff will also offer trophies for first, second and
third places.
A men's and women's washer tournament will kick off at 11 a.m. Individuals
can register at 10 for this event. Team trophies will be awarded for first,
second and third place and entry fee is $10 per team.
D.J. Bully Matta will be providing musical entertainment and Mixed Company
Band, from Balmorhea, will play country and rock favorites from 1:30-5:30
p.m.
A Saturday night street dance, free, will begin at 9 p.m. and will feature
Little Joe Davila and the Jetliners.
"This year we've got the most food and arts and crafts booths than any
other year," said Brijalba. "That's going to be different and I think it's
something people will really enjoy."
Food booths will feature a variety of foods and snacks. Arts and crafts
booths will offer a wide selection of gift items, including T-shirts, bumper
stickers, toys and jewelry, just to name a few. "We'll have a lady that
will be selling wood items that she made," said Brijalba. "We just have a
lot of arts and crafts and food items that will be for sale."
Brijalba said that people from all over West Texas would be on hand to
sell their wares. "They're coming in from Odessa, Wink, Kermit and Fort
Stockton
"We're very pleased that we have attracted this many people to come in
and set up booths," he said.
The celebration will continue on Sunday at 10 a.m., with D.J. music.
"The D.J. will be here from 10-1 p.m. and from 1-5 p.m. we'll have mariachi
music," said Brijalba.
Mariachi Galan will be on hand from 1-5 p.m., performing their own version
of mariachi music along with some old favorites.
"We want to welcome everyone to Balmorhea," said Brijalba. "There will
be something for everyone here this weekend."
Schools, local businesses plan participation in event
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Thurs., Aug. 29, 2002 -- A big Hawaiian celebration is scheduled to
bid farewell to a long hot summer in the community on Friday.
Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a "Hawaiian Beach Party"
and is encouraging all community businesses, individuals and members to
join them Friday, which is the start of this year's Labor Day weekend. Businesses
and individuals are asked to decorate their offices and wear Hawaiian or
beachwear during this day. Prizes will be awarded to the best-decorated
business and individuals.
Businesses or individuals that would like to be judged for the contest
can call the chamber office at 445-2406.
Businesses can have a drawing, dress in their Hawaiian outfits, serve
refreshments or a party for the employees and their customers, according
to the Chamber's acting director, Linda Gholson. Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD
schools will also join in the fun and have everyone dress up.
Businesses and individuals who have stated that they will be participating
include: the Pecos Enterprise, who will dress up and decorate; Colt Chevrolet,
with door prizes and refreshments from 1-5 p.m.; Beall's Department Store,
will decorate and employees will dress up; West Texas National Bank, will
be handing out leis and serve refreshments from 9 a.m., until 5 p.m.; the
Pecos Post Office, will have drawings for stamps, from 10-12 a.m.; La Tienda,
will decorate and provide samples of fruit trays, deli and produce all day
and Security State Bank, employees will dress up, decorate and serve refreshments.
Bob's Thriftway, will have fruit samples, pineapple juice, decorate and
employees will dress up; Popular Check Cashing, will dress up, decorate
and serve refreshments; Reeves County Hospital, decorate and have an employee's
beach party; Movie Gallery will serve refreshments to the public from 2-4
p.m. and decorate; Pecos Nursing Home will decorate and have a dress up
contest for employees and residents; Pecos Country Club will be handing
out leis to all customers and employees will dress up; Pecos Animal Clinic
will decorate and Town of Pecos City will serve refreshments from 9 a.m.
until 5 p.m.
Wal-Mart will decorate, dress up and serve refreshments from 8 a.m. until
7 p.m.; Airlawn Furniture is planning a big sale on that day; West of the
Pecos Museum, will have refreshments throughout the day, decorate and dress
up/ the courtyard decorated by museum for the social, 5-7 p.m. and Reeves
County Hospital will have an employee party at 3 p.m., door decorating contest
and dress up.
KIUN/KTPX Radio will feature Hawaiian Music Beach Party all day.
A big finale for the day is planned at the West of the Pecos Museum Courtyard,
from 5-7 p.m. and will be hosted by Peaceful Garden Funeral Home.
Benefit BBQ sale scheduled Friday
PECOS, Thurs., Aug. 29, 2002 -- A benefit Barbecue Plate Sale will be
held beginning at 11 a.m., Friday at the Saragosa Hall.
Plates will be $5 and include all the trimmings.
The benefit is to help cover medical expenses for Jessie Sanchez.
Weather
PECOS, Thurs., Aug. 29, 2002 -- High Wednesday 104. Low this morning 79.
Forecast for tonight: Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms.
Lows 70 to 75. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph. Friday: Partly cloudy with isolated
thunderstorms. Highs 95 to near 100. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Friday
night: Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms. Lows 70 to 75. Saturday:
Partly cloudy. Highs near 100. Sunday: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 70s.
Highs 95 to 100.
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 2002 by Pecos Enterprise
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