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May 27, 1997

Sheriff to issue statement on missing man

By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer

PECOS, May 27, 1997 - The search continues for a 25-year-old young man
whose car was found in the area.

The Van Horn Sheriff's Department is currently preparing a press release
with new information on the mystery surrounding the disappearance of
Manuel Chabarria, Jr.

Chabarria's car was found in Culberson County, off of Farm Road 2119 on
private property. The property owner found the car and reported it to
the sheriff's department.

Lydia and her husband, Manuel Chabarria, Sr. were in Pecos last
Wednesday visiting the site where their son's car was found abandoned
and taking a look at the car itself in an effort to solve the puzzle.

Manuel Chabarria, Jr. has been missing since April 1, following a
meeting held at his place of employment.

The family currently resides in the Fort Worth area, but the elder
Chabarria was raised in Pecos.

"We don't suspect theft either since nothing was missing," said Mrs.
Chabarria. "No toiletries, no clothes, nothing was missing," she said.

"I was from Pecos originally and at first we thought maybe he came to
look for my parent's home, which nobody is living in at this time," said
Mr. Chabarria.

However, when Chabarria contacted his sister who still lives in Pecos,
she had not seen or heard from the young man. "I had her go check out my
parents home as soon as we found out the car had been found here," said
Mr. Chabarria.

"Up until Sunday we had no idea in which direction he had gone to, or
where to even begin looking for him," said Mrs. Chabarria.

The family is asking the public to help in their search for their son.

Manuel Chabarria, Jr. is a 25-year-old Hispanic male, born Feb. 24,
1972. He is a 5'6" tall and weighs about 125-130 pounds. Manuel has
curly dark brown hair and brown eyes.

The car their son was driving is a 1987 Honda Civic, which is partially
primed, with some red stripes.

Both sheriff's department personnel were out at the scene Tuesday and
sent out a helicopter within a 10-mile radius, according to Mr.
Chabarria.

"They thought maybe he took off on foot or something," he said.

"At this point, we don't want to think the worst," said Mrs. Chabarria.

The Chabarrias are hoping their son just needed some time to himself and
is doing fine.

"We just want to know that he's all right," said Mrs. Chabarria. "I'm
clinging to the hope that he is fine and will contact us soon, because
we love him," she said.

The couple urge their son or anybody who might be in contact with him to
contact them and let them know of his whereabouts.

If anybody has any information they can contact the Texas Department of
Public Safety, Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 1-800-346-3243.

"The state police was here Thursday, but they haven't given us their
report yet," said Pecos Police Chief Troy Moore.

The agency sent out two men and a lady to lift prints off the car, do
forensic work and check for clues, according to Moore.

The search continues for a 25-year-old young man whose car was found in
the area.

The Van Horn Sheriff's Department is currently preparing a press release
with new information on the mystery surrounding the disappearance of
Manuel Chabarria, Jr.

Chabarria's car was found in Culberson County, off of Farm Road 2119 on
private property. The property owner found the car and reported it to
the sheriff's department.

Lydia and her husband, Manuel Chabarria, Sr. were in Pecos last
Wednesday visiting the site where their son's car was found abandoned
and taking a look at the car itself in an effort to solve the puzzle.

Manuel Chabarria, Jr. has been missing since April 1, following a
meeting held at his place of employment.

The family currently resides in the Fort Worth area, but the elder
Chabarria was raised in Pecos.

"We don't suspect theft either since nothing was missing," said Mrs.
Chabarria. "No toiletries, no clothes, nothing was missing," she said.

"I was from Pecos originally and at first we thought maybe he came to
look for my parent's home, which nobody is living in at this time," said
Mr. Chabarria.

However, when Chabarria contacted his sister who still lives in Pecos,
she had not seen or heard from the young man. "I had her go check out my
parents home as soon as we found out the car had been found here," said
Mr. Chabarria.

"Up until Sunday we had no idea in which direction he had gone to, or
where to even begin looking for him," said Mrs. Chabarria.

The family is asking the public to help in their search for their son.

Manuel Chabarria, Jr. is a 25-year-old Hispanic male, born Feb. 24,
1972. He is a 5'6" tall and weighs about 125-130 pounds. Manuel has
curly dark brown hair and brown eyes.

The car their son was driving is a 1987 Honda Civic, which is partially
primed, with some red stripes.

Both sheriff's department personnel were out at the scene Tuesday and
sent out a helicopter within a 10-mile radius, according to Mr.
Chabarria.

"They thought maybe he took off on foot or something," he said.

"At this point, we don't want to think the worst," said Mrs. Chabarria.

The Chabarrias are hoping their son just needed some time to himself and
is doing fine.

"We just want to know that he's all right," said Mrs. Chabarria. "I'm
clinging to the hope that he is fine and will contact us soon, because
we love him," she said.

The couple urge their son or anybody who might be in contact with him to
contact them and let them know of his whereabouts.

If anybody has any information they can contact the Texas Department of
Public Safety, Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 1-800-346-3243.

"The state police was here Thursday, but they haven't given us their
report yet," said Pecos Police Chief Troy Moore.

The agency sent out two men and a lady to lift prints off the car, do
forensic work and check for clues, according to Moore.

BHS graduates go to Disneyworld

By MAC McKINNON
Enterprise Editor

PECOS, May 27, 1997 - The 10-members of the 1997 graduating class of
Balmorhea High School are in Orlando, Fla. at Disneyworld, today,
reaping the benefits of four years of hard work work to raise funds for
their senior trip.

There is no word on how the airplane boarding went Saturday morning at
Midland International Airport following Friday night's graduating
ceremonies. Only two of the 10 had ever flown before.

The Balmorhea gym was filled for the Friday night ceremonies as the 10
members of the class were presented for graduation by High School
Principal Mrs. Elizabeth Cook.

Damon Mellard gave the invocation, followed by the salutatorian address
by Scott Clark. Ryan Stieg then gave the valeditory address. Guest
speaker as chosen by the class was Mrs. Malisa Hardgrove.

Mrs. Cook and Superintendent James Haynes then gave several scholarships
and awards to the soon to be graduated seniors.

Steig and Clark both received scholarhsips for their position in the
graduating class, a $300 scholarship from the spanish Club went to
Herbert Zuniga with Clark receiving a $100 scholarship from the C. T.
Gray Memorial Fund.

Mellard ws given a $200 scholarship from Cameron College while Zuniga
received a $300 scholarshp from the Business Professionals of America.
Clark was named as the Tandy Technology Scholar. Steig was given a $500
scholarship by West Texas Utilities, represented by Roland Pena,
district supervisor for WTU. That scholarship was based on an essay on
energy conservation.

As each graduate was called to the stage and given the prized diploma,
Assistant High School Principal Mike Barrandey turned the tassle.

Colors for the class were red and black, the flower was the rose with
each graduate receiving a long stem rose as they left the stage and the
class song was You Gotta Be, by: Des'ree.

Graduates in additional to those already named were Amanda Roman, Maria
Avalos, Naomi Mendoza, Celia Rodriquez, Sergio Perez and Heather
Huelster.

Following presentation of the diplomas, school board president Paul Ward
presented a desk pen & pencil set to Haynes who has announced he will be
leaving Balmorhea to take over as superintendent at Plains ISD.

Ward said a search is now underway for a new superintendent for
Balmorhea with that search due to culminate by late June.

Federal drug charges dismissed
for lack of time to investigate

By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer

PECOS, May 27, 1997 - Federal drug possession charges against former
Hudspeth County Attorney (pro tem) Sol Olen Thomas have been dismissed
for lack of time to investigate the allegations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Blankinship filed the motion for dismissal,
which was granted. By dismissing the charge before indictment,
Blankinship can present the case to a grand jury at a future date if he
so chooses.

Thomas, 55, of Sierra Blanca, was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents
April 3 south of Van Horn on Chispa Road, which leads to the Rio Grande.
He was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Blankinship sought to detain Thomas without
bail, but U.S. Magistrate Katherine Baker allowed his release on $50,000
bond.

DEA Agent Mike O'Brien testified that a sensor report drew a Border
Patrol roving unit to the Chispa road, a notorious narcotics smuggling
route which crosses the Rio Grande from Mexico into the U.S. about
halfway between Presidio and El Paso, at about 9 p.m. April 3.

Agent O'Brien testified that the agent responding to the sensor report
first stopped and released a vehicle with two U.S. citizens, then saw
two more vehicles coming north on the Chispa road in tandem.

When the drivers of the vehicles saw the patrol unit, they both turned
back toward the river. O' Brien testified the agent pursued with siren
and red lights.

One of the trucks stopped and two individuals fled into the brush. They
were never located. Agents found 500 pounds of marijuana in the truck.

Thomas occupied a second truck. He also fled into the brush, but showed
himself and surrendered a handgun when agents approached.

Thomas' son, Pierce, testified in a detention hearing before Baker that
his father was very concerned about the drug traffic in the area where
they ranch.

"He stops everyone on the road" and inquires about them, the son
testified.

Pierce Thomas testified his father was never violent and had a heart
attack in June, 1995. Sol Thomas has had a quadruple bypass and
diabetes, he said.

"Most ranchers carry a gun," he said.

Sol Thomas graduated from Texas Tech Law School in 1982, practiced in
Lubbock and moved to Sierra Blanca in early 1992. He was appointed
county attorney by County Judge Bill Love at about the time the Merco
sludge hauling enterprise got underway.

Also in federal court this week, Robert Salcido-Duran was found guilty
of possession with intent to distribute 126.70 pounds of marijuana on
Feb. 27.

Danny Salcido of Pecos pleaded guilty to giving false information to a
firearms dealer. He allegedly claimed on Jan. 24 that he had not been
previously convicted of a crime.

Four indictments by county grand jury

By PEGGY McCRACKEN
Staff Writer

PECOS, May 27, 1997 - Reeves County grand jurors on Thursday returned
indictments against four defendants, including one for failure to stop
and render aid at the scene of an accident.

Jimmy Garcia Abila, 26, allegedly was involved in an accident April 27
in which Jesse Adame was injured. Abila left the scene without giving
his name, address, registration number of his vehicle and the name of
his liability insuror, and without rendering assistance to Adame, who
was in need of medical treatment.

His bail was set at $10,000.

Wendy Ione Dunivan, 28, is charged with forgery. She allegedly passed a
$200 check on the closed account of Mindy or Mike Allgood on Mar. 22,
1996 to Ron Box. Her bail is $5,000.

Florencio Rodriguez Herrera, 65, is charged with burglary of a
habitation on April 20. The county road and bridge department employee
allegedly entered the residence of Jerry Hardwick with intent to commit
theft.

His bail is $15,000.

Manuel Quiroz, 31, is charged with possession of cocaine, more than five
grams but less than 200 grams, on Jan. 23. His bail is $50,000.

Local PBT teacher honored by Latin American group

By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer

PECOS, May 27, 1997 - One local school teacher felt very honored Friday
after she was nominated for an award by the United Latin American
Citizens (LULAC).

"I felt very honored and privileged to have been nominated," said Maria
Lucila Valenzuela from the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD.

A ceremony was held Friday at the Holiday Inn Center in Odessa sponsored
by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).

Educators from the area had been nominated to receive the $1,500 peace
prize by the LULAC State Convention for promoting interracial equality
in their educational agendas.

The award was presented to the winner and a runner-up at the special
ceremony.

Winner of the coveted award was Linda Quiroz, Ector County ISD. "She has
had her music published on tapes that she had composed for her
students," said Valenzuela.

"She's an excellent educator who has had an impact on her students,"
said Valenzuela. "But being among so many distinguished educators made
me feel really proud," she said.

"My cousin was also a nominee and the event was really nice, we both
felt honored," said Valenzuela.

Valenzuela stated that all the nominees had excellent credentials and
were really outstanding people.

The winner netted $1,000 while the second runner-up won $500.

Second place winner was Barbara Bader Aldave, San Antonio.

Other nominees for the coveted honor include Patricia Reyes Walker of
Odessa College; Veronica Celstino, Comfort; Juanita Gonzales Silva,
Ector County ISD; Linda Quiroz, Ector County ISD; Hector Flores,
Duncanville; Jose Agustin-Ruiz Escalante, UTPB and Dr. Abelardo Baeza,
Sul Ross State University.

The event honored Dr. Felipe Alanis of Austin who is the deputy
commissioner for the Texas Education Agency.

Good smaritans hope to make a difference

By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer

PECOS, May 27, 1997 - The good samaritan's from Freeport McMoRan are at
it again.

"This is just a continuation of what we started a few months back,
trying to help people," said David Terry.

Terry is a member of a group of individuals who work at Freeport McMoran
sulphur plant located 40 miles from Pecos. The group is called the "C"
crew and began their efforts a few months back in trying to help
different individuals.

"Our goal is to try to make a difference and maybe others will take this
as a hint and try to do the same," said Terry.

The group is challenging other members in the community and encouraging
other crews from Freeport to join in their efforts and help each other
out.

"The materials were donated to us by Christmas in Spring and by Ernest
Garcia and his construction crew," said Terry.

Garcia was also on hand to help the group out.

"We are building a bathroom, putting up sheetrock, replacing a door and
fixing the roof on this home," said Terry.

The home the group is working on is one of the homes which had been
targeted by Christmas in Spring, but not enough volunteers showed up to
complete the homes on the list.

Early Friday morning a couple of members from the group were on hand at
the Pecos Headstart giving children pony rides, answering questions and
having a good time.

"We also want to do things with children," said Danny Florez. "We want
to donate our time to children and let them know we care," he said.

Florez along with Saul Gonzales spent the entire morning at the school
for three to five-year-olds.

The group states that they have about six projects they will be working
on in the near future.

"We want to do things for the community and may clean up the community,
there's so much that needs to be done," said Florez.

Linda Terry, whose 68-year-old mother, Anna Jenkins lives in the home at
414 E. 13th Street, stated that she is very happy with the group.

"I think they're a godsend, they're a great group of guys who are
donating their free time to do something for others in the community,"
said Terry.

"I don't what my mother would have done without them, they just pulled
together and decided they wanted to do this," she said.

"I want to thank each and everyone one of them and I know God will bless
them," she said.

Members of the group include David Terry, Danny Florez, Raul Herrera,
Curtis Metcalf, Eddie Mata, Don Lee Hall, Edward Gonzales and David
Acosta.

Outstanding student awards presented

By CARA ALLIGOOD
Staff Writer

PECOS, May 27, 1997 - During an awards ceremony at the Pecos High School
auditorium last Monday several PHS students received Outstanding Student
Awards, recognizing them for earning the highest grades in their
particular classes during the 1996-1997 school year. The Pecos
Enterprise wishes to congratulate all awardees on their scholastic
achievement.

In Language Arts, the winners were: English I, Bobbie Orosco; English I
Pre-Advanced Placement, Brandi Harrison; English II, Casey Love; English
II Pre-AP, Efrain Rodriguez; English III, Felix Ortiz; English III AP,
Jamie Corson; English IV, Jessie Ortiz; English IV AP, Diana Prieto;
English IV Gifted and Talented, Mikel Parent; Advanced Social Science
Problems, Daniel Tarin; Reading Improvement I, Marty Clary; English as a
Second Language, Ana Izquerdo; Photo Journalism, Esperanza Torres;
Journalism, Ibefel Ramirez; Yearbook, Isaac Solis; Newspaper, Annabel
Pena; Public Speaking, Fernando Rodriguez; Introduction to Speech
Communications, Eric Machuca and Debate, Ben Ortiz.

In math, students placing highest were: Math of Money, Heriberto Mata;
Algebra I-A, Erlinda Ramirez; Algebra I-B, Jesus Terrazas; Algebra I
Enhanced, Crystal Montano; Algebra I, Katerina Quiroz; Algebra II,
Griselda Zapata; Algebra II Enhanced, Jonathan Fuentes; Geometry, Joe
Mendoza; Informal Geometry, Nahun Garcia; Geometry Enhanced, Kendall
Belles; Trigonometry, Mefgan Freeman; Elementary Analysis, Eric Barreno;
Calculus, Elizabeth Montgomery and Computer Science, Penny Armstrong.

Top Science students were: Anatomy/Physiology, Al tillman; Biology I,
Helena Pendleton; Biology Pre-AP, Ramiro Nunez; Biology II, Nick
Manriquez; Biology II AP, Albert Lee; Environmental Science, Noel
Ybarara; Chemistry I, Orlando Matta; Chemistry II, Jeff Brownlee;
Physics, Araceli Lujan; Meteorology/Astronomy, Sarah Matta and Physical
Science.

Excelling in Social Studies were: United States History, Kristen Evans;
U.S. History Enhanced, Josh Casillas; World History, Jose Perez;
Government, Leslie Armbruster; Economics, Jesus Hernandez; Leadership,
Sarah Lam and World Geography, Claudia Garcia.

Best in Band were: Band I, Lindsay Olibal; Band II, Sarah Armstrong;
Band III, Jeremy Thomasson and Band IV, Dennis Harris.

In Fine Arts, the top students were: Theater Arts, Didio Martinez;
Theater Arts Advanced, Christina Gonzales; Art I, Anna Rodriguez; Art
II, Michael Foster; Art III, Jesus Casillas and Art IV AP, Sean Russell.

The best Foreign Language students were: Spanish I (English speaking),
Oscar Mendoza; Spanish I (Spanish speaking), Asusena Sandoval; Spanish
II, Francisco Coria; Latin I, Alva Alvarez; Latin II, Annabell Ramirez
and Latin III, Bryan Brownlee.

Top PE/Health students were: Health, Elizabeth Matta; Boys PE, Bhavesh
Bhakta and Girls PE, Adela Garcia.

Career & Technology students who finished at the top of their classes
were: Keyboarding, Richard Reyes; Accounting, Denise Camerena;
Speedwriting, Corina Carrillo; Business Communication, Sulema Reyes;
Office Administration, Olivia Valenzuela; Business Information
Processing, Liza Brown; Micro Computer Applications, Veronica Perez;
Business Computer Applications, Anna Carrasco; Manufacturing Graphics,
Fabian Rios, Construction Graphics, David Zuniga; Technical Systems,
Maurico Villescas; Production Systems, Salvador Villalobos; Home
Maintenance, Jose Jurado; Introduction to World Agriculture, Amanda
Stickels; Agricultural Science Technology, April Ryan; Animal Science,
Veronica Munoz; Agricultural Mechanics, Auden Navarrette; Horticulture,
Kellee Bagley; Equine Science, Renea Rasberry; Introduction to
Agricultural Mechanics, Randall Barmore; Metal Fabrication, Luis
Carrasco; Home Economics, Marisol Gonzales; Consumer/Family Economics,
Beatrice Bailey; Parental & Child Development, Amy Solis; Advanced Child
Development, Cynthia Ramirez; Food Science & Nutrition, Marisa Jasso;
Advanced Food Science & Nutrition, Misty Contreras; Management, Maribel
Pena; Food Service, Ringo Gallego; Principals of Marketing, John Paul
Venegas; Marketing Education I, Divyesh Bhakta; Marketing Education II,
John Paul Venegas; Automotive Technology I, Mike Contreras; Automotive
Technology II, Joseph Sanchez and Health Occupations, Randy
Ramirez.Architectural Services contract for the Reeves County Detention
Center expansion will be the focus of discussion in today's regular
commissioners court meeting.

Commissioners focus on detention center expansion

PECOS, May 27, 1997 - Commissioners will meet on the third floor of the
courthouse beginning at 5:30 p.m. to discuss several important issues.

After discussing the several issues on the agenda, the court will
convene in executive session to discuss pending litagation with Carlos
Morales.

Change orders on the perimeter security fence project are on the agenda
along with agreements with the golf course and civic center caretaker.

Commissioners will discuss the courthouse maintenance crew and listen to
a proposal lease agreement for sheriff's department vehicles.

The court will dicuss offers on property located at 310 South Mesquite
and 1104 South Cedar.

Commissioners will also:

- Discuss/take action on reports from various departments.

- Discuss/take action on budget amendments and line-item transfers.

- Discuss/take action on personnel and salary changes (RCDC, road and
bridge department, tax office, swimming pool, treasurer's office and
county attorney's office).

- Discuss/take action on minutes from previous meetings.

- Discuss/take action on semi-monthly bills.

- Spread on the minutes notice of over-axle-over-gross weight permit,
continuing education for county clerk Dianne O. Florez and surety bond
and certificate of approval for tax assessor/collector.

OBITUARIES

Mildred Drier

PECOS, May 27, 1997 - Mildred Dolores Drier, 66, died died Friday, May
23 at her residence in Toyah.

Services were held today at 11 a.m. at Toyah Baptist Church with Rev.
J.R. Wooten officiating. Burial was in Toyah Cemetery.

She was born Aug. 6, 1930 in Pecos, was a lifetime resident and a
Baptist.

Survivors include one daughter, Alice Speh of Conshocken, Penn. and one
grandchild.

Pecos Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

James H. Nixon

PECOS, May 27, 1997 - James H. Nixon, 71, died Friday, May 23 in Pecos.

Graveside services were held Sunday in Clyde Cemetery in Clyde, Tx.,
with Jake Arnold officiating.

He was born Nov. 30, 1925, graduated from Abilene High School and
attended Hardin Simmons University. He served in the Air Force during
World War II, was a retired highway patrolman and a member of the Church
of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Ross Nixon on Nov. 29, 1996.

Survivors include one son, James L. Nixon; one daughter, Shannon N.
Busby and one grandson, all of Pecos.