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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Monday, March 24, 2003
Teenage girl killed in crash near Stockton
By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Mon., March 24, 2003 -- A 13-year-old New Mexico girl was killed Saturday
when the vehicle she was riding in was struck by a another vehicle on U.S.
285 about 14 miles northwest of Fort Stockton.
Demitria Linares, 13 from Albuquerque, N.M., was killed in the accident,
which occurred at the Intersection of U.S. 285 and FM 1776 in Pecos County,
40 miles southeast of Pecos.
According to the Department of Public Safety, Saturday's accident occurred
at 3:48 p.m. and involved a 2002 Dodge and a 1980 Ford.
The Dodge was driven by William Moore, 32, out of San Antonio while the
Ford was driven by Gabino Baltazar, 80, out of Monahans.
The report stated that the Dodge was traveling south on U.S. 285, while
the Ford was traveling south on FM 1776 when Baltazar failed to yield the
right of way at a stop sign. His vehicle hit Moore's vehicle on its right
passenger side causing it to spin and rollover.
The Dodge ended up on it top side facing northbound on the south side
barrow ditch of U.S. 285, while the Ford ended up right facing to the right
on the south side of U.S. 285.
Along with Linares and Moore, the occupants in the Dodge vehicle identified
as Veronica Montana, 32, Delany Montana, 11, all of San Antonio and Gisela
Linares, 14, of Albuquerque.
Moore, both Montanas and Gisela Linares all suffered lacerations and
were taken to Pecos County Memorial Hospital in Fort Stockton, where they
were treated for their injuries.
Demitria Linares was pronounced dead at 5:09 p.m., that same day, at the
Pecos Memorial Hospital by Dr. Boon and the next of kin was notified.
All the occupants, except for Demitria Linares, were wearing their seat
belt at the time of the accident.
The driver of the Ford, Baltazar, was also treated and released at Pecos
Memorial Hospital. He was also wearing his seat belt.
The U.S. 285-FM 1776 intersection is where traffic between Pecos and
Fort Stockton crosses traffic traveling between Monahans and Alpine. It has
traditionally been one of the most dangerous rural intersections in West
Texas, had had flashing light and large stop signed put up on FM 1776 following
a series of traffic fatalities in the 1980s. In January of this year, a
40-year-old Fort Worth man was killed when he ran the stop sign while northbound
on FM 1776 and was struck by a pick-up heading north on U.S. 285.
Clubs' health fair event at park raises $1,700
By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer
PECOS, Mon., March 24, 2003 -- The Pecos Downtown Lions Club and Rotary Club
had a good turn out at their first Family Health Fair held out at Maxey
Park on Saturday, raising over $1,700 for local youth activities despite
rains from Friday night that left sections of the park still wet on Saturday
morning..
"At first yes I was worried," President of the Lions Club Michael Benavides
said about the rain. "But I know that it was going to blow over."
He added that the morning was slow for them but once the day started
to warm up, the kids began to come out and play.
"I know the morning was going to be nice and cool," Benavides said. "After
some time people started to come out."
He added that along with the other events held out at the park the kid
enjoyed the slide, ship and tug-a-war balloons brought by a company in Midland.
"The kids were loving it," Benavides said. "There were more kids over
all."
He added that Mark Zuniga had a lot of kids participate in a game of
pass and kick and with a grin on his face his stated that his team defeated
the younger team at beach volleyball.
Lupe Davis, a Lions Club member and one of the organizers of the event,
said that it was a fun day for her though crowd overall was smaller than
hoped for.
"We did not have a big crowd. But those who were out there enjoyed themselves
especially the kids," she said.
The events began at 8 a.m. and ended a little bit after three Davis said.
"A lot of kids participated in volleyball and football," Davis said.
"The kids just wanted to participate in all the events."
She also added that the kids enjoyed the balloons.
"We also had a lot of door prices," Davis said. "We had two $50 Saving
Bonds from West Texas National Bank and a $100 Savings Bond from Security
State Bank."
Local business donated gift baskets and food certificates for two, Davis
said.
"It was fun," Davis said. "Both the kids and the grown ups enjoyed it."
Along with all the fun exercising events Davis said that they also provide
healthy lunches for the people.
"For lunch we had chicken stir fry and roast beef," Davis said. "We also
had fruit."
She added that she hopes that they will do this again next year.
"It was nice to see the kids being active, especially mine," Davis said.
Receiving a lot of complements on the event, Benavides said that he also
hopes to do it again next year.
"We hope to make it one of the things we add to our yearly events," Benavides
said.
The $1,700 raised during the event will be used to help with other activities
for the kids, Davis said.
Army providing info on programs to family members
PECOS, Mon., March 24, 2003 -- The Army Family Community Support Center
established a toll-free assistance hotline for Army family members this
past Friday, officials said.
The hotline will begin with eight operators and can be expanded if needed.
An Army official stressed that the hotline is intended only for family
members and will not have information on casualties or soldiers missing
in action. Instead, it is intended to provide information about Army programs,
services and procedures for families of deployed soldiers. Such information
also is available from rear-detachment commanders and local family assistance
centers.
The hotline will be in operation from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., Central Time.
The telephone number - 1-800-833-6622 - is toll-free within the continental
United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.
An Army official said hotline staff also will not be able to answer questions
about the locations of deployed soldiers.
Military asking public to limit packages
sent to troops, offers e-mail message site
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Mon., March 24, 2003 -- Care packages to individuals currently serving
overseas are being discouraged by the United States military, but letters
are always welcome.
"It's a great morale booster, but right now we're discouraging individuals
from sending care packages to those serving our country," said U.S. Air
Force Master Sergeant Bill Lincicome, with public affairs for Dyess AFB
in Abilene.
Lincicome said that instead those wanting to reach out to those overseas
can e-mail to them at the service website, http://anyservicemember.navy.mil.
"At this address they can write to any service member and that will help
them greatly," said Lincicome.
The U.S. Department of Defense is requesting citizens use the e-mail
service and not to flood the military mail system with letters, cards, and
gifts. Due to security concerns and transportation constraints, the Defense
Department can't accept items mailed through the U.S. Postal Service to
"Any Servicemember".
Lincicome said that because so many individuals are currently serving
their country and are not in the United States there is a great need for
volunteers in the different communities. "We have a lot of people who volunteer
and since they are not here right now, there is a great need for volunteers,"
said Lincicome.
Lincicome said that these individuals volunteer for Meals on Wheels,
Big Brothers, Big Sisters, visiting folks in nursing homes and hospitals.
"If anybody wants to help they can do so by volunteering, because there
is a great need for volunteers in the communities right now," he said.
Visiting veterans that are in nursing homes is also a good way to help
out, according to Lincicome.
"It's a little bit hard to fill those needs," said Lincicome. "If folks
purchase packages for those oversees they can donate them to federal and
military relief agencies."
Dyess is the home base to part of the nation's B-1 bomber fleet. B-1
and B-52 bombers currently stationed in the Persian Gulf area have practiced
over the past year doing low level bombing runs over West Texas in preparation
for the war with Iraq, following a route that passes over the new Realistic
Bomber Training Initiative electronic scoring site 17 miles south of Pecos.
Lincicome said that life at Dyess is continuing as normal as possible.
"Of course, we're prepared for anything that might arise," he said. "But
otherwise everyone is going about their business here as usual, people are
still shopping at the commissary, taking their kids out and maintaining
a fairly routine way of life."
Lincicome said that training at the RBTI, on the outskirts of Pecos, is
also continuing. "Training is still happening and nothing really different
is taking place," said Lincicome. "We'll react accordingly to any situation
that comes up and are well-prepared."
Pecos-area military personnel
Listed below are the names of service men and women from our community
who are serving in our nation's Armed Forces. We ask that you keep our brave
military personnel in your thoughts and prayers.
Everyone is asked to wear yellow ribbons and fly their American flags
to show their support for our troops. Pray for their speedy and safe return
home.
Individuals from Pecos and neighboring communities include:
Airman Rebecca Natividad with the U.S. Air Force, serving in Kuwait.
Roger Salinas who is serving in the U.S. Air Force in Kuwait.
Erlinda Salgado-Ramirez serving with the U.S. Army in South Korea.
First Lt. David V. Carrasco serving with the U.S. Army in Kuwait.
Stephanie and Robert Babcock who are with the 74th Engineering Company
at Fort Hood, to be deployed to the Persian Gulf this week.
Rojelio Marta with the U.S. Army serving in the Persian Gulf.
Fernando Marta with the U.S. Army serving in the Persian Gulf.
Martin Arreguy (former resident and Pecos High School graduate) now serving
with the U.S. Marine Corps in the Persian Gulf.
Mark Abila with the U.S. Marine Corps. serving in Iraq.
Ernest Matta Jr. serving with the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf.
Johnny Villareal Matta serving with the U.S. Army, 32nd Division, in
the Persian Gulf.
Bobby Mitchell Johnson, with the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.
Sgt. Robert Overcash, the U.S. Marine Corps.
Roger Cortez, U.S. Army.
Nathan Lujan, U.S. Air Force.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Corrales with the U.S. Air Force, serving in Saudi
Arabia.
Crystal Gayle Garcia, with the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Clovis, N.M.
Michael J. Carrasco, with the U.S. Army, stationed in South Korea.
T.J. Huffman, with the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Kuwait.
Jeremy "Jerry" Lara with the U.S. Marine Corps, stationed in San Antonio,
on "stand-by."
David Carrasco, with the U.S. Army, stationed in Virginia.
Sr. Airman Clint Hounshel with the U.S. Air Force stationed in San Antonio.
Lance Corporal Eric Aguilar serving with the U.S. Marine Corps.
If you would like to add a name to our list, call 445-5475 or come by
the office located at 324 S. Cedar.
Weather
PECOS, Mon., March 24, 2003 -- High Sunday 84. Low this morning 50. Forecast
for tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. West winds 10 to 20 mph.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s. North winds 5 to 15 mph.
Tuesday night: Partly cloudy. Lows near 40. Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Highs
in the mid 70s. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Windy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs
in the mid 80s.
Obituary
Revere Proctor
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 2003 by Pecos Enterprise
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