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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Tuesday, September 24, 2002
Commissioners pick Balmorhea center's builder
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Tues., Sept. 24, 2002 -- Reeves County Commissioners decided on construction
management professional services for the new Balmorhea Community Center this
morning, during a continuation of Monday's regularly scheduled Commissioners
Court meeting.
The group began their regular session Monday morning and continued today,
with several items that still needed to be discussed and action taken.
County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo told the group that the superintendent for
Balmorhea ISD, Elizabeth Saenz, had recommended the construction company
of Anderson Building and Development Group Inc. of El Paso, which is currently
working on renovations to the school in Balmorhea along with construction
of a new gymnasium.
Galindo said that the company works mostly on school projects, but came
highly recommended for this particular job.
"Since we are already out there, I think we can do a good job for you,"
said Ron Anderson. "Even though we built a lot of schools, this project is
similar to the gym we're now building."
Anderson said that the building would have pre-engineered metal roof and
the same materials schools used would be used in this project. "It's pretty
similar type construction," he said.
Anderson added that he felt they could do a good job as far as saving
money for the county.
"This building is similar to the Barstow Community Center in size and
construction," said Galindo.
The cost of the project is approximately $400,000 and the building will
be about 5,800 square feet.
Anderson told the group that they have developed a lot of construction
and labor in this area. "We plan to use local individuals and try to get
most of our supplies in this area," said Anderson. "We encourage the subs
to do the same."
Anderson said that his company has done pretty well and that they have
established some good connections here.
"You're most recent project is a lot bigger than this," said Galindo.
Anderson said that they are currently working in Presidio and upgrading
the school system there as well.
"We'll be here until school starts next year and probably past that, working
on the Balmorhea school," said Anderson. "I assure you that that project
won't interfere with the one you want us to do."
"There are some things we can't do at the school while they are in session,
which gives us ample time to work on the community center," he said.
County says city deadbeat on emergency antenna bill
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Tues., Sept. 24, 2002 -- Reeves County Commissioners approved paying
a bill to Twin Cities Technologies Billings for the Emergency Management
Antenna Tower during their regularly scheduled meeting, while saying
that Town of Pecos City officials have refused to pay their share of
the bill in recent years.
"The city just discontinued payment of this after Neal (former city manager
Kenneth Neal) left," said county auditor Lynn Owens, who told commissioners
that the invoice stated that they would discontinue the tower service if
the bill were not paid.
"They said that at the end of the month they would turn off our antenna,"
he said.
Owens said that he didn't know what kind of contract the county had with
the city on this, since the city's former emergency management director had
left. "Armando Gil's office is the one who used to handle this," he said.
Gil served as both the city and county emergency management coordinator
until leaving his job last year.
Judge Jimmy Galindo said that there was no question that emergency traffic
and emergency communication was vital for the community.
"This system is well-designed and will serve us in the future," said Galindo.
"I don't know why the city has chosen not to pay this."
"They weren't able to get a response from the city and I hadn't received
anything until the other day," said Owens, who added that he thought the
county needed to work something out with the city.
Galindo said that in the meantime the bill, which was in the amount of
$1,920, needed to be paid to continue the antenna service.
"It seems like when the city doesn't want to do something, they shift
it to the county," said commissioner precinct 3 Herman Tarin. "We need to
bring them in and discuss this issue and the water issue."
The city and county are currently in another dispute over a $12,000 water
bill charged to the county for water usage on the driving range at the Reeves
County Golf Course.
"My recommendation is we pay it and see if we can bring in folks from
the city," said Galindo.
Owens said that there was also a bill for a pager that was previously
used by Gil. "This is in connection with the previous item," said Owens.
"And I don't know where this pager is or who has it."
"First we need to track down the pager and then see what we can do about
this particular issue," said Galindo.
In a related item, Owens also brought up the fact that county cellular
phones are being abused and used for personal calls.
"The most easily abused item is the use of cell phones," said Owens. "We've
been asking each department to pay for their personal calls."
"I don't think they should be using the cellular phones for personal use,"
said Owens. "It's against the law to use county property for personal use."
Owens said that he was asking each department to turn in an affidavit
on the personal calls they have been making.
"They need to reimburse the county for these calls," said Owens. "Another
way to keep track, would be to set a limit on the amount of minutes," he
said.
Galindo suggested making an inventory of all county employees who have
a cellular phone and the kind of plan each carries.
"Sometimes there is an emergency and the individual can't help but use
the phone," said Galindo. "In cases like this, we need to make an exception,"
he said.
Police seeking details on Sunday stabbing
By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Tues., Sept. 24, 2002 -- Pecos police are investigating their third
stabbing incident of the year, this one occurring on Sunday night in
the 1000 block of Oleander.
According to Pecos Police Department Gang Officer Mondie Granado, a call
came in at about 9:52 p.m. in reference to someone lying in the alleyway
of Oleander, in an area east of La Tienda Thriftway.
However, Granado said that when officers arrived they were unable to find
anyone at that location. He then said that they received a second call informing
them that the victim was seen at 619 S. Cherry St.
As officers arrived, they found Roy Carrillo, 35, with two stab wounds
to the back.
"That's where they found him," Granado said.
Carrillo was transported first to Reeves County Hospital, before being
flown to Lubbock where he is now in critical, but stable condition, Granado
said.
According to Granado the officers found a pool of blood at the first location
even though Carrillo was not there, but no weapon was found at either location
though officers covered the entire area.
As this point Granado said that he does not think that this incident is
gang related or related to this year's other stabbing incidents. Fabian Orona,
17, of Pecos, was stabbed several times on May 26, in what police said was
a gang-related incident. No one has been officially charged with the crime,
while in August, Orona was charged with the stabbing of a 16-year-old Pecos
teen at the Sonic Drive Inn on West Third Street. Both those incidents are
believed to have involved gang disputes.
Granado added that they could not officially say exactly where Sunday's
stabbing took place because police could not conduct a full interview with
Carrillo due to his injuries.
However, while officers were unable to question Carrillo, Granado said
that he told them he could identify who had stabbed him, but did not give
police the suspect's name.
"He told us that he knew who it was and that he would take care of the
problem himself," Granado said.
Because of that, police currently do not have a suspect in this case,
Granado added.
Granado stated that anyone with further information would be appreciated.
"If anyone has any information or are witnesses to anything give me or Lt.
Davis a call." Granado said.
Police to give local citizens academy class
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Tues., Sept. 24, 2002 -- Community members are invited to learn more
about the law and the procedures during a Citizen Police Academy to
begin in October.
The academy, which is open to anyone 18 years and older, will begin on
Oct. 10 and conclude on Dec. 12. Classes will be one night a week for eight
weeks, according to Community Service Officer Mike Balog.
"Throughout the classes different issues will be discussed including the
law and everything pertaining to it," he said.
Balog said that on the first night of classes, the group will be given
a tour of the new Pecos city jail and be introduced to police personnel.
"There will be a class on communications, where everyone can get familiar
with 911," said Balog.
Classes on traffic law, patrol procedures and other subjects will offer
information on the department's various operations. "They will get a kind
of taste of what we go through in the academy," said Balog.
The course will also offer firearms training to those participating. "That's
optional though, because some individuals just don't want to go near a gun,"
said Balog.
"We encourage couples and friends and everybody to come join us," he said,
and after the academy the individuals will form an alumni.
"The alumni will then be able to participate in the elderly abuse program,
the gang program or other activities," said Balog. "Once we get formed there
will be other activities that we will sponsor."
"One of the classes will be in juvenile and gangs," he said.
There is a $25 fee to join the academy, but the money will go back towards
the participants, according to Balog.
"They'll get a nice polo shirt and the money will be used for other things
for the academy and the participants," he said.
For more information contact Balog at 445-4762 or 445-4444.
Applications can also be picked up at Security State and West Texas National
Bank, the Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce, the Pecos Enterprise and KIUN Radio
Station.
County accepting ballot applications for voting by mail
PECOS, Tues., Sept. 24, 2002 -- The Reeves County Clerk's office is currently
accepting applications for ballots by mail for the November elections.
Deadline to get a ballot by mail application has been set for 5 p.m.,
Oct. 29.
For more information contact the clerk's office at 445-5467.
Weather
PECOS, Tues., Sept. 24, 2002 -- High Monday 82. Low this morning 54. Forecast
for tonight: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s. Southeast winds 5 to
10 mph. Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Highs around 90. Southeast winds 5
to 15 mph. Wednesday night: Mostly clear. Lows 55 to 60. Thursday:
Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 90s. Friday: Partly cloudy and cooler.
Lows around 55. Highs around 80.
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 instances we will indicate payment
and release.
***
Yolanda Romero Rodriguez, 32, was arrested at 8:07 a.m., on Sept. 23,
in the 900 block of South Locust Street for motion to adjudicate delivery
of a controlled substance, warrant out of Reeves County.
***
Stevie Ornelas, 18, was arrested at 1:28 p.m., on Sept. 23, at the
Criminal Justice Center for warrant capias possession of drug paraphernalia.
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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