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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Monday, September 30, 2002
Cable company, stations pass blame on missing signals
By ROSIE FLORES
and
JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writers
PECOS, Mon., Sept. 30, 2002 -- Cable subscribers in Pecos haven't been very
happy with their service recently, with two channels on the blink for
at least the past two months, and no solution to the problem seems
likely in the near future
The signal for Ch. 8 (KPEJ), the area's Fox station, has been out for
all but a few days over the past two months, while ABC viewers of Ch. 12
(KMID) has been out for extended periods since early August.
"Fox channel is going to be that way because of their translator, which
is on Gomez Peak," said Classic Cable technician Manuel Gonzales. "That's
just what we're picking up," he said.
Gonzales said that they have always had problems with Channel 8, which
is the station that picks up KPEJ's UHF signal in Pecos.
"There's nothing we can do about it, because that's the signal we're receiving,"
he said.
Gonzales said that the other channel Pecos is having problems with will
be check out. "We didn't know there was a problem with KMID, but we'll be
sending a technician out to check it," he said.
"It's kind of hard when we're 80-90 miles from the translator," said Gonzales.
"As far as Fox, until Fox finds a way to fix the translator on Gomez Peak,
there's nothing we can do about it," said Gonzales.
Back on Sept. 6, KPEJ General Manager Jamie Beeghley said, "I talked with
Classic Cable engineer, Mr. Gonzales, and he told that he had ordered a new
pre-amp for Channel 20, which is the channel you are receiving the Fox station
from."
"The engineer had ordered the pre-amp, but they had sent him the wrong
one," said Beeghley. "As soon he gets it in, he'll install it and start working
on it to get a better signal," he said.
"He's doing his best to get that fixed," said Beeghley. "I've done all
I can, I talked with my engineer and sent his report to their engineer, and
we're doing all we can to help."
KMID technician Glen Edwards said that they hadn't received any complaints
and weren't aware there was a problem with KMID's signal into Pecos. "Somebody
needs to call in and let them know there is a problem," said Edwards. "We
get the signal in Monahans and they aren't having any problems with it."
KMID's signal in Monahans is received over the air and is picked up by
antenna at Classic Cable's Monahans location. However. Because KMID's and
KPEJ's antennas are located north of Midland International Airport, neither
signal is strong enough to reach Classic Cable's receiving antenna in Pecos
on its own. Three other Midland-Odessa signals, KOSA (Ch. 7), KWES (Ch. 9)
and KUPB (Ch. 38) have their main antennas located west of Odessa, and their
signals are strong enough to be picked up in Pecos by Classic Cable's antenna,
so viewers have not had any similar problems with the CBS, NBC and Univision
stations.
Edwards said that he realized the other problem is that Classic Cable
doesn't have an office in Pecos. "I know they have an office in Monahans
and I spoke with them and nobody there knew anything about the problem,"
said Edwards.
Classic Cable closed its office in Pecos two years ago in an effort to
save money.
The Tyler-based company filed for bankruptcy last year, and is currently
seeking to emerge from bankruptcy protection.
Edwards suggested that someone turn in a "trouble ticket" to let Classic
Cable know there was a problem with the signal Pecos is receiving for that
particular channel. "We're sending out the signal and the problem is not
with us," he said.
"Maybe when they don't get to see Monday night football they'll start
complaining," he said.
KPEJ beams its signal from its Midland-Odessa transmission site to 6,500-foot
Gomez Peak, where an antenna there broadcasts an over-the-air signal on UHF
Ch. 20 that Classic Cable uses to pick up the station in town.
KMID in contrast, uses a microwave relay signal to broadcast into Pecos
by way of a transmission tower at Notrees, west of Odessa.
Under earlier agreements between the station and the area's former cable
operator, United Video Cablevision, KMID and the cable company split the
cost of the microwave transmission, which in the early 1990s cost about $3,000
a month.
Because of the high cost, the microwave signal is only for Pecos customers.
Other area cable subscribers include Classic Cable customers in Barstow,
receive their ABC signal via satellite from Denver, Colo.
KPEJ's signal has been unwatchable for most of the time since early August,
and problems have been a common complaint since the station went on the air
in the area seven years ago.
Bad weather caused the signal to fail often over between 1995 and 2001,
when the UHF translator station was on UHF Ch. 18.
It was taken off last June when Univision began broadcasting in Midland-Odessa
over Ch. 18 (KUPB - Ch. 38). Pecos cable customers then received Fox via
the FoxNet satellite link for the next five months, but that station failed
to carry most of last fall's Cowboy games.
In November 2001, KPEJ began sending their signal to Pecos via a microwave
relay, the same method KMID uses to get its signal into Pecos. However, because
of the expense for the microwave relay option, when KPEJ received permission
earlier this year to resume broadcasting from Gomez Peak on Ch. 20, the microwave
signal was terminated.
Other cable customers in the area, including Classic Cable's Barstow customers,
continue to receive the FoxNet satellite signal.
However, neither of the Cowboys' two games so far this season aired on
Fox have been part of the FoxNet national telecast.
Those viewers saw Detroit and New Orleans in place of Sunday's win by
Dallas at St. Louis, and saw New Orleans and Chicago the previous week, instead
of the Dallas-Philadelphia game.
Police hunting suspects in elderly man's beating
By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Mon., Sept. 30, 2002 -- An elderly Pecos man was found severally beaten
in his own home early Saturday morning on the east side of town
A call came into the Pecos Police Department at about 1:05 a.m. Saturday
about a suspicious person in front of the house where 81-year old, Anastacio
Acosta lives, Lt. Kelly Davis said.
According to Davis, Acosta's home is located between the Del Rio Bar and
a storage area within the same building.
When the officers arrived Acosta was found conscious, on his bed inside
his home.
"He was found in bed and believed to have been beaten," Davis said.
Acosta was airlifted to Covenant Medical Center Hospital in Lubbock that
night, were he is now in the ICU unconscious and in serious condition, Davis
said.
Davis added that Acosta lives by himself in the bar, which happened to
be closed that night.
Because there was no sign of forced entry and the fact that Acosta lived
by himself there the police do not know if he had been robbed.
"This was a vicious attack," Davis said. "He was too elderly to defend
himself."
Davis is sure that this incident was not gang related and that he would
have more information and a possible arrest tomorrow.
Police did not release any information on whether or not the department
had a definite suspect, but Davis did say that they hope to arrest the people
involved in this attack.
"We would really like to catch these people," Davis said.
Organizers happy with clean-up of locations
By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer
PECOS, Mon., Sept. 30, 2002 -- Saturday's clean up of areas on the east side
of Pecos "went pretty good," according to the effort's organizer, Michael
Benavides.
"We had about 24-25 kids show up, we had some (Sheriff's Department) explorers,
some probationers plus my two volunteers Manny (Porras) and Slim (Bub Ewbank).
Councilman Gerald Tellez also showed up," said Benavides, who is also a member
of the Pecos City Council.
"We cleaned up the east side (Santa Rosa) cemetery and we cleaned up some
lots. But even with that, we just scratched the surface," he said. "We cleaned
up a lot of bottles and we cleaned up a lot of trash, but there's still a
lot to go.
"Manny said he was going to go back after the last Pee-Wee football game
on Saturday with some Round-Up to get all the weeds so they wouldn't grow
back," Benavides added.
Saturday's clean up was the first organized effort since April, but Benavides
said he was hoping to hold another one before it gets too cold this fall.
"We're looking to do something with the (Pee Wee) football kids. Randy
(Baeza) and I are trying to utilize the kids for a clean-up probably after
the season is over, at the end of October or November, weather permitting,"
he said. "That would be about 150 kids and their coaches, so we can cover
various area around town."
PHS band to sell enchilada plates during Fall Fair
PECOS, Mon., Sept. 30, 2002 -- An Enchilada Plate Sale will be held during
the Annual Reeves County Fall Fair, scheduled for this weekend at the Reeves
County Civic Center.
The plate sale will be held from 5-9 p.m. this Friday and from noon until
9 p.m. on Saturday. Plates will be $3.50 and 50 cents extra for those who
want an egg on top.
Tickets can be purchased from any Pecos High School Band student or they
can pay during the event. Feel free to dine in, or take it home.
For more information contact Merle Lenfest at 445-7218 or Norma Wentworth
at 447-3264.
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 Rodriquez, 32, was arrested at 8:07 p.m., on Sept., 23
in the 900 block of Locust, for Motion to Adjudicate delivery of a controlled
substance, warrant out of Reeves County.
***
Steve Ornelas, 18, was arrested at 1:28 p.m., on Sept. 23, at the Criminal
Justice Center
for warrant capias for drug paraphernalia.
***
Lionel Pando, 31, and Raul Pando, 36, were arrested at 7:29 p.m., on
Sept. 25, in the 600 block of Pine Street. Lionel Pando was arrested
for possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, possession of drug
paraphernalia, warrant exhibition of acceleration, driving without
a license, violation promise to appear, disregard stop sign, Ward county
warrant for no drivers license and a ward county warrant for failure
to appear. Raul Pando was arrested for possession of a controlled substance,
cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
***
Dominique Franco, 27, was arrested at 8:58 a.m., on Sept. 25 in the
300 block of Eddy street for warrant for default payment.
***
Jose M. Rodriguez, 45, was arrested at 10:53 a.m., on Sept. 25, in
the 500 block of Oak Street on two warrants for default payment.
***
Lucy M. Vela, 41, was arrested at 2:31 p.m., on Sept. 25 in the 400
block of Peach Street, for warrant default capias.
***
Margarito Carrasco, 30, was arrested at 2:32 a.m., on Sept. 25 at Reeves
County Sheriff's office for warrant for no liability insurance.
***
Carlos Subia Carrasco, 18, was arrested at 1:57 on Sept. 25 at the
Municipal Court for warrants minor in possession, 2 warrants for violation
promise to appear on minor in possession, and warrant capias minor
in possession.
***
Joaquin Gervacio, 17, was arrested at 3:13 a.m., on Sept. 30, in the
1600 block of 7th street, for public intoxication.
***
Cesar Coria, 20, was arrested at 9:10 p.m., on Sept. 28 in the 1600
block of Washington street for warrant minor in possession of alcohol,
and warrant for violation failure to appear.
***
Theodore Cabral, 20, was arrested at 7:09 p.m., on Sept. 27 in the
1100 block of Oak Street for warrant for expired registration, warrant for
no drivers license and warrant for violation failure to appear,
***
Jabson Ephriam, 27, was arrested at 2:07 a.m., on September 27 in the
800 block of East 12th Street for warrant for consuming
alcoholic beverages while operating a motor vehicle, warrant for violation
promise to appear, and warrant capias default payment of possession of an
open container of alcohol.
***
Deloras Munoz, 32, was arrested at 7:26 p.m., on Sept. 26 in the 600
block of Eddy Street on a warrant for ordinance violation of an animal
at large, and a warrant for violation of promise to appear.
***
Omar Jasso, 28, was arrested at 12:31 a.m., on Sept. 26 at the Criminal
Justice Center for 2 warrants for assault under the family violence act.
Obituaries
Warren Burnett, Maxima Gomez and Elena Matta
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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